Veteran triathlete Greer Wynn is hoping for triumphal end when she compete in her finals Bonaqua Africa Triathlon Cup women elite class race at the Troutbeck Resort on Saturday.
The 46-year-old athlete is the only Zimbabwean in the elite women class for a second consecutive year took at the annual flagship triathlon event.
Last year she scooped bronze in a field that had only three competitors and this there are six athletes from five different countries.
“This is my last elite performance. I have done my time. I am a veteran in this and my passion as well as my drive have brought me to where I am now at 46 still racing the youngsters,” Wynn said on the eve of the event.
“I am still top in the country beating the younger ladies at this moment and time. But when you race international ladies it another story I want to see what happens tomorrow I am interested to see where I lie in the rankings just for fun.
“The field is a bit bigger compared to September last year. There are six elite ladies and that’s a big field. I don’t want to underestimate them, they are all strong and fast and most of them are going to the Paris Olympics
“I am the underdog. I know my speed is not up there but anything can happen in the race. I am just going to go out there and do my best for Zim,” she said.
Slovakian Ivana Kuriackova is the highest ranked athlete on the start list and is favourite to claim gold but the defending champion South Africa Hannah Newman will be the one to watch.
There is also Tsudoi Miyazaki from Japan, Shanae Williams (South Africa) and Julie Staub from Mauritius.
Zimbabwe will not have a representative in the elite men class for the second year running.
George Ascott is a medal hopeful in the junior elite men class after a 4th place finish last year.
A total of 15 athletes have entered the event among them three other Zimbabweans athletes namely Duwan Botha, Matipa Mawere and Mandlenkosi Mthethwa.
Top female junior Makanaka Mawere will also be looking to improve on her bronze medal finish last year as she leads four other Zimbabweans in Emma Lidsba, Inkosinomusa Mthethwa, Jessica Fuller and Brooklyn Tippett in the 12 member line up.
Coca-Cola Africa are the title sponsors of the the 15th edition of the event through their Bonaqua bottled water brand.
Cimas iGo, Rooneys Event Infrastructure, Toyota Zimbabwe, African Sun Hotels and Troutbeck Inn Resort and newcomers Ecocash Zimbabwe are key partners.
Team #FinishTime is hard at work at registration for this weekend's Troutbeck Triathlon in Zimbabwe! Good luck to every triathlete taking on this challenge – we wish each of you a personal best! pic.twitter.com/YT7VWGBfEQ
— FinishTime (@FinishTime2) April 1, 2022