Port Alfred to host major sporting event

IN a major coup, Port Alfred has won the battle against the Western Cape to host the International Expedition Africa Extreme Challenge, a multi-discipline endurance race which includes mountain biking, kayaking and trekking.

The organisers of this event spent time in Port Alfred in December last year and were persuaded by Sunshine Coast Tourism (SCT) to host their event in Ndlambe.

So far 15 teams of extreme athletes from South Africa, Paraguay and Russia have registered for the race, including one team from Port Alfred and one from Grahamstown. A maximum of 25 teams may take part.

They will compete for a place in the Adventure Racing World Championships to be held in France later this year.

Teams are due to arrive in Port Alfred on May 5 and the week-long race commences on May 7. It covers 500km throughout Ndlambe, with 300km of mountain biking, 125km of trekking and 75km of kayaking. During the race, teams will be required to swim certain sections as well as do some abseiling.

Each four-member team has to include at least one female competitor.

The route will remain secret, but the diverse terrain is expected to provide a challenge for competitors, said SCT manager Sandy Birch.

According to the Kinetic Gear Expedition Africa website, teams are expected to navigate using a map and landmarks. They must be able to operate in harsh remote environments in all weather conditions.

Teams will travel through the day and night and can decide if, when and where to rest, but there will be a compulsory five-hour stop at a midway camp.

There is a variety of compulsory competitor equipment for each leg of the race, and race organisers will inspect equipment before the race starts. At least one member of the team must hold a minimum qualification of Level One First Aid.

The first team to complete all the Expedition legs and visit all the checkpoints will be declared the winner and receive a R16 000 cash prize.

There is a R6 000 prize for second place and R2 000 for third.

Teams are required to complete the entire Expedition distance together, always within hearing and visual distance of each other, and helping and assisting each other.

"Teamwork and team dynamics are essential. A detailed understanding of your teammates and your own capabilities is essential,” according to the Kinetic Gear site.

The race is set for five days, but the more extreme teams are expected to complete the race in as little as three days, said Birch.

Prize giving will be held at 7pm on Saturday May 12, but the official expedition cut-off is at 7am the following day.

"Ndlambe stands a chance of winning the World Championship bid to host this event in four years' time, where as many as 80 international teams will take part,” said Birch.

The event will be covered by Supersport TV as well as Discovery Channel and ESPN. International film crews are expected to arrive a few days ahead of the race to film tourism attractions within Ndlambe and will be hosted by Sunshine Coast Tourism.

The home base for the race is the Halyards Hotel and the entire endurance race takes place in the Sunshine Coast.