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Totalsports Challenge 2007 saw team CAPESTORM
Thunder & Lightning
winning the mixed pairs category, almost one hour ahead of their
opposition. Paddling legend, Rebecca Newson and light weight runner
and
cyclist, Peter Kirk took the lead going into the road run after
the
team's solid performances in the surfksi, swimming and road cycling
legs. It was in the K1 leg that they set themselves up for a clear
win
when Rebecca managed to keep her boat afloat in extremely choppy
conditions on Bot River Lagoon that had a few teams in trouble.
Driving
rain and slippery conditions on the mountain bike leg were very
testing
and Peter found himself thrown off his bike on more than one occasion
on
technical jeep tracks that were transformed into rivers. Spirits
lifted
once Rebecca and Pete began the final 10km beach run leg. Rebecca's
dedication to her running training paid off, and they were over
the
finish line before the second mixed pair had hit the beach.
Peter and Rebecca were teamed up together in
early November. Rebecca's
pedigree in her paddling and swimming were an ideal match for Peter
Kirk
(aka Pistol Pete), who hails from a strong road and trail running
background with 12 Argus Tours under his belt, a few duathlons and
the
odd Karoo to Coast on the MTB. Rebecca, realising that she would
have to
run 10km on the beach, promptly joined Harfield Harriers running
club
where Pete runs, and consistently posted PBs as she honed her running
and this dedication paid off. Pete went out and bought a lightweight
carbon composite mountain bike and feverishly trained up to (and
down
from) the FM mast on Constantiaberg. Brick sessions were introduced
for
the bike/run transitions for which there were two for him to complete
on
race day. Rebecca went about her training leading the ladies in
just
about every Tuesday surfski series and added some open water swimming
to
her training regime.
Much needed seconders were found in Rebecca's
boyfriend, Kevin Scaife,
and Pete's girlfriend, Nicole Rockcliffe, and thanks must go to
them for
their slick organisation at the transitions, keeping Beccs and Pete
fed,
their spirits up and their equipment ready.
The combination of Rebecca, Pete and their
seconds, backed by CAPESTORM
was a winning formula and the team have high hopes for the future.
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