Category: #ThrowbackThursday
Gert Stoltz 1992 World Duathlon Champs
Gert Stoltz, or Tarzan, as my friends called him, at Duathlon Worlds 1992.
Gear: Oakley Factory Pilot glasses/goggles. Oakley’s first shades. They were a bit “old fashioned” by 1992, but probably the most prized Oakley item one could own today. Size 61 Zini bike bought from Bruce Reyneke Cycles with Reynolds 501 steel tubing, Shimano 105 group set with down tube shifters and Biopace non round chainrings. Patrick shoes, (the cheapest) LOOK clipless pedals (a novelty) and a frame pump which today is the size of a rocket ship.
Since I can remember, my dad and I did sport together. When I was a toddler, “Rofstoei!” (wrestling) was my favourite, in part because my dad was the strongest in the whole wide world (thats a fact)- with only one hand, he could pin me down so tightly I couldnt blink an eye.
Soon I graduated to other sports which we did together – bikes, motorbikes, running, archery, canoeing (paddling) yup and even swimming. He hated swimming, (legs made from steel dont float) but tolerated it in order to compete in Biathlons and Triathlons.
We had many fantastic sporting memories together,
#ThrowbackThursday Conrad Stoltz 1998 ITU All African Triathlon Champion Swakopmund Namibia
Conrad Stoltz & Lieuwe Boonstra 1st & 2nd at 1998 ITU All Africa Triathlon Championships Swakopmund Namibia
Back when we were chasing ITU points to qualify for the 2000 Sydney Olympics, Speedos were the rage, we sewed and ironed our sponsors logos on, and Lieuwe had the most admirable horse-like pony tail in the biz. (this photo does not do it justice)
Lieuwe and I were a formidable team: Both 2nd pack swimmers but really strong cyclists, we’d get together on the bike, ride up to the lead pack- usually lead by David Hyam, Glen Gore and sometimes Tim Don. Once in the pack, I’d sit in and send Lieuwe up the road. If they chase and catch Lieuwe, I’d attack, and Lieuwe would bridge over to me later, or we’d repeat till we got away. But usually they would let Lieuwe go and watch me – the stirrer and stronger sprinter… I’d wait till Lieuwe had about a 30″ gap then attack and ride up to him, where we would start a furious through and off. This would be the crucial time to get clear of the chasers without bringing any unwanted fleet footed runners with. (Eksteen, Don, Gore et al.)
At this particular race
