LOCAL rubberduckers Steyn Basson and Jan Kriel (Team Agriwire, Wellington) are currently hard at work preparing for the Trans Agulhas Challenge.
This popular event, which is considered the toughest inflatable boat race in the world, is celebrating its twentieth anniversary and will start on 28 December in Mossel Bay.
The race will finish five days later in the Strand with more than 100 000 people expected to join the action on the various beaches along the route.
Basson and Kriel, assisted by their dedicated land-crew Donald Horne, James Müller, Andrew van Wyk, Jaco Goosen, Ilze Lesch en Liezel du Toit, are viewed as one of the hot favourites in their class (P750 Blueprint) to take this year’s challenge.
”We’ll have tough opposition, no doubt,” Basson admits. “We are not underestimating any of the teams.
”There are a lot of new teams taking part this year.
“They’re not only quick, they’re extremely tough too.
”We’re very positive and we want to go all out for the best results.”
* The Trans Agulhas Challenge was first initiated by the legendary Sparks Esterhuyse from Sea and Sand in Hermanus. The event was intended as a challenge for inflatable boat owners to test their skills in navigation, physical and mental endurance and the capabilities of their craft, which it certainly turned out to be.
