By Jonathan Mbiriyamveka
An international field consisting of Elite Men and Elite Women will compete at this year’s Bonaqua Triathlon Cup Troutbeck set for September 25, 2021 in Nyanga at Tourtbeck Resort.
The ATU JUNIOR TRIATHLON AFRICAN CUP will be staged at the same venue, for the third time. It will see Zimbabwe hosting Junior Elite athletes from Egypt, Tunisia, Mauritius, Namibia and South Africa.
The supporting events of the day include an African Cross-Triathlon (Off-Road) Championship, Schweppes Corporate Triathlon Challenge, Zimbabwe Triathlon Championships over a number of events, Tri-Kidz and Trisports triathlon, Aquathlon (run-swim-run) and an Open Water Swim, all under the banner of the Bonaqua Troutbeck Multisport Festival.
2021 marks the fifth anniversary for Bonaqua still water as the official title sponsor, although Coca-Cola has previously supported the event under Schweppes Water.
Bonaqua Water is bottled by Schweppes Zimbabwe Limited. Other partners who are supporting the tournament include Bon Marche, Cimas, Rooney’s and Toyota Zimbabwe.
“As the Coca-Cola system which includes our bottling partner Schweppes Zimbabwe Limited, we are delighted to be able to support local sports development through sponsorships like the Triathlon during these challenging times. The Bonaqua African Triathlon Cup Troutbeck is growing with each year, and attracting global athletes,” said Faith Nehanda, Coca-Cola Zimbabwe Frontline Marketing Portfolio Activation Manager.
Globally, Coca-Cola also sponsors the Olympics and the FIFA World Cup.
“The Bonaqua African Triathlon Cup Troutbeck which is sanctioned by the International Triathlon Union (ITU) is contributing positively towards the development of sports and tourism in Zimbabwe by attracting regional, continental and global athletes,” said Rick Fulton, the Bonaqua Troutbeck event organiser.
“This year marks the 14th edition of the Bonaqua African Triathlon Cup Troutbeck. As we celebrate this milestone, we appreciate the professionalism that has been exhibited by the Zimbabwe Triathlon Association (ZTA) which has resulted in the successful hosting of this tournament every year,” said Ropafadzo Gwanetsa, Schweppes Zimbabwe Ltd Corporate Affairs Manager.
Greer Wynn who is best at cycling said she was more confident this year than the previous years.
“Last time I didn’t have the confidence but this year I have the state of mind and confidence above all passion. It’s a tough course the hills and no plains but I enjoy it in the hills,” she said.
The Bonaqua African Triathlon Cup affords World Ranking points for elite athletes within the ITU ranking system. This means that the points scored by elite athletes will ultimately become Olympic Ranking Qualification points for Paris 2024.
Troutbeck is well known as one of the world’s best resorts for sport and tourism due to the availability of safe, clean, disease and animal free water, good roads within a perfect terrain as well as a friendly climatic environment.
The course is also one of the hardest.
Other headline sponsors include Bon Marche, Toyota Zimbabwe, Rooneys, African Sun Resort and Cimas.
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