By Tabisa Mntengwana
20 January 2009

BUFFALO City wrapped up the weekend with two top-notch sporting events – the Africa Open Golf Championships and Spec-Savers Ironman 70.3 South Africa.

Ironman 70.3 defending champion, Raynard Tissink, stole the crowds’ attention when, for the second time in a row, he won the race with a new record. Speaking at a press conference after the race, Tissink said: “It was a good race even though we were all under pressure. My biggest fear was Tim Don beating me on my home ground.

“It feels good to win. I felt under pressure at times, especially during the swim, but with good cycling skills I managed to pick up my pace,” he added.

Tissink, who is based in Port Elizabeth, congratulated the runners up on a good race. Fraser Cartmell came second, followed by Konstatine Bachor.

Bachor, who collapsed after the race, said that it was tough. “I worked hard to catch [the leaders] But I’m proud of the achievement I have made considering last year’s performance.”

In 2008, Bachor did not make it into the top three.

The women’s race was won by Lucie Zelenkova, who completed the event in four hours, 46 minutes and 40 seconds. She was followed by Netherland’s Heleen Bij de Vaate; South African Claire Kingsley came in third.

Zelenkova said she had not expected to win. “I didn’t expect this but at the same time I worked very hard to get it in the last four weeks.”

She had an accident late last year, but at the pre-race conference she said she was ready for the race.

Commenting on her success, Kingsley said that she felt tired. “I enjoyed the ride but struggled during the two kilometres at the end of the race.”

The day ended with an awards ceremony at River Park Ministries in Quigney; the prize money of $25 000 (about R251 000) was distributed according to winning positions.

On the other side of town, golfers were celebrating Retief Goosen’s success at the East London Golf Course, where the Africa Open Golf Championships ended with a gala dinner at the golf club.

Goosen lipped out at the 18th hole with a final round of 65 which he won by a single stroke. “I hit a fairly good putt, good line, the first time and it came up short,” said Goosen on the shudder on the 18th.

“I thought the next one was a right edge putt, but it didn’t turn and lipped out and then I knew I was going to have a play-off. I was very surprised that none of the other guys got to 21-under, so I was lucky with that mistake.”

As the winner, Goosen collected R792 500; second place won R575 000 and third received R346 000.

The African Open golf tournament will be hosted in Buffalo City for the next three years. “The City congratulates all the winners as well as our people for going out of their way to ensure that we deliver these thriving events,” said Samkelo Ngwenya, the City’s spokesperson.

According to a press release issued by the municipality, the success of these major events has positioned the city not only as a sporting destination of choice but also as an ideal candidate to be a base camp and training venue for one of the teams that will be participating as the 2010 FIFA World Cup™

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