Conrad Stoltz opened the 2012 season in earnest and earned his 5th XTERRA South Africa Championship title. For fellow South African Carla Van Huyssteen this win was her first big win on home soil.
Stoltz managed to be first onto the bike and in this case that was all she wrote. The tough South African was not seen again by his competitors until they hit the finish line. Stuart Marais took the runner-up spot and with Dan Hugo finishing third the South African podium sweep was perfect. Raynard Tissink managed a very impressive fifth place, not bad for someone typically focused on Ironman training and racing.
"I didn’t want to overcook on the bike, so I kept it steady and conservative. The course is challenging in every aspect of mountain biking. It is definitely all that XTERRA is about. It is good to see the amount of new single track in Grabouw, making it a mountain biking destination like it used to be," said Stoltz to XTERRA media. "On the run leg I opted not to take a swim in the stream as shortly afterwards there is a big climb. The wet clothes can easily add on a kilogram or two"
Just like Stoltz, Van Huyssteen led after the swim and held on to that lead all the way to the finish line. Austrian Carina Wasle broke up the podium stranglehold of the South Africans with her second place finish, but South African Candice Davison finished third.
"Winning at XTERRA Grabouw has been my goal for three years now. It truly is amazing to get the recognition for all the hard work that I’ve put into the sport," added Van Huyssteen. "I think most supporters were hoping for a double win for South Africa today. This made crossing the finish line all the more sweet as everybody was so happy for me."
XTERRA South Africa Championships
Grabouw, South Africa / February 26, 2012
Top men
1. Conrad Stoltz (RSA) 2:26:02
2. Stuart Marais (RSA) 2:28:14
3. Dan Hugo (RSA) 2:29:04
4. Nico Pfitzenmaier (GER) 2:29:18
5. Raynard Tissink (RSA) 2:37:13
Top women
1. Carla Van Huyssteen (RSA) 2:50:28
2. Carina Wasle (AUT) 2:55:31
3. Candice Davison (RSA) 3:16:44
4. Aileen Anderson (RSA) 3:18:40
5. Hilana Marais (RSA) 3:19:17
