JONAS Schomburg and Aoi Kuramoto are this year’s Bonaqua Troutbeck ATU Triathlon African Cup winners after emerging tops in the elite men and women respectively.

Schomburg, who was competing under the International Triathlon Union, came in as the favourite in the elite men having finished seventh in the previous edition.

And making his second appearance at Troutbeck, Schomburg felt he had an insight of what to expect yesterday.

''Two weeks ago I finished second at the South African Championships and now I managed to finish first. It’s my second time here at Troutbeck, I like the country and the people here are very friendly and I always look forward to this race.

''I'm a good swimmer and I'm always in the leading pack in the big races so I was really trying to push the pace and try to separate everyone on the swim because that’s what makes the race tough and I feel good because it worked well in the end.

 “I was a bit more prepared for this race. I knew the course, very tough conditions up and down all the time. I think that was the reason why I felt strong today,” said Schomburg.

Namibia’s Jean-Paul Burger was second, followed by Linus Stimmel of Germany on third place.

In the elite women, Kuramoto from Japan, taking part for the first time in the Troutbeck event, beat favourite Cindy Schwulst from South Africa to second place.

Another Japanese, Chika Sato came third as they dominated the women’s event.

Kuramoto was excited after claiming the women’s title but conceded it’s a difficult course.

“I like Zimbabwe and Japan is far from here so I had to win this race. It was a very tough race, very high altitude.

“It’s a very difficult course and its tiring but I had to win.  It was a good race for me,” said Kuramoto.
 
Schwulst was making her fifth appearance at Troutbeck and had hoped for top position after coming second three times in this competition.

The South African triathlete conceded she lost to the better athletes of the day. 

“I didn’t have such a great swim, I didn’t feel great. I started feeling a bit better on the bike. And myself and the two Japanese girls pulled away and we worked together, then I was with Chiko and that was until the third lap of the run, and she picked up the pace.

“I just couldn’t go with it and she managed to pull a gap on me but she is a very strong competitor. So I was happy with my race and how it went but obviously I would love to get that first, so I will be back next year,” said Schwulst.

Jodie Berry was fourth.