Bridget Theunissen wrapped up the women’s Big 6 title with a fourth race victory at the 2023 HI-TEC Walker Bay Outdoor, on Monday, 1 May. The young triathlete from Kwa-Zulu Natal put an exclamation point on her weekend by dominating her favourite discipline and winning the Sprint Distance Triathlon ahead of Tracey Campbell and Jana van den Berg. David Sher won the men’s race, while Rudolf Naude secured the Big 6 victory by finishing fourth in the final event of the multisport festival.

Over the course of the HI-TEC Walker Bay Outdoor Theunissen notched up victories in the LedLenser Twilight Run, the Short Distance Mountain Bike race, the 2.5 kilometre Open Ocean Swim and the triathlon. She only conceded points on the Trail Run and the scrapping of the See en Sand swim run jump, which was stopped due to dangerous ocean conditions, would have further aided her charge to the crown.

Walker Bay Outdoor

The Sprint Distance and Junior Triathlons were the final events of the multisport festival. Photo by Nick Joubert.

The Sprint Distance Triathlon suited her skills perfectly, despite taking on the course on a road rather than a time trial bike. Theunissen exited the water in fifth position overall, just behind the quartet setting the pace in the men’s race and then built a handy lead on the bike. The confusion of riders who had turned short entering transition two ahead of her did not put Theunissen off her pace and she ran home strong to win the race in 1 hour, 15 minutes and 9 seconds. Campbell was the second woman across the line, 7 minutes and 14 seconds later, to seal second in the Big 6 too. Jana van den Berg completed the podium places in the triathlon, while Liza Kingston joined Theunissen and Campbell on the Big 6 podium.

In the men’s race Sher concluded the HI-TEC Walker Bay Outdoor the way he had started it, atop the podium. Like Theunissen, Sher had won the LedLenser Twilight Run on Friday evening; but he had then skipped Big 6 events and slipped down the general classification leader board. Completing the festival with a victory capped a stellar weekend for the 24-year-old triathlete.

Walker Bay Outdoor

Though David Sher (centre) won two events outright, it was the consistency of Rudolf Naude (left) which paid off in the Big 6’s final standings. Photo by Charl Tait.

“It was a lot of fun. Amazing actually!” Sher smiled on the finish line. “I felt good and went way faster than I’d thought I would. I got caught by Bruce [Campbell] on the bike, he overtook me, and I couldn’t keep up with him. But I knew my transition would help me make up some time and then I caught him on the beginning of the run. And once I was in the lead, I felt really good.”

Sher’s winning time was 1 hour, 6 minutes and 43 seconds. He was joined on the race podium by James Gerber and Colin Fleming. Naude finished just off the podium, but did enough with a series of second, first, nineth, second and fourth to accrue 5.39 more points than Fleming. Wynand Hofmeyer was 38 points further back, in third.

Walker Bay Outdoor

Perfect conditions – with a flat ocean, wind still bike and cool run – made for a fast-paced Sprint Distance Triathlon. Photo by Nick Joubert.

To relive the highs of the 2023 HI-TEC Water Bay Outdoor, like the Walker Bay Outdoor Facebook page or following @walkerbayoutdoor on Instagram and @walkerbayoutdoor on TikTok. For more information on the event visit www.walkerbayoutdoor.com.

2023 HI-TEC Walker Bay Outdoor Recaps: Day 1 – Friday | Day 2 – Saturday | Day 3 – Sunday | Day 4 – Monday

Hermanus provided the perfect backdrop for a weekend of runs, rides and swims. Photo by Matt Ashwell.

Sprint Distance Triathlon

Men’s Results:

  1. David Sher (1:06:43)
  2. James Gerber (1:08:26 | +1:43)
  3. Colin Fleming (1:09:08 | +2:25)

Women’s Results:

  1. Bridget Theunissen (1:15:09)
  2. Tracey Campbell (1:22:23 | +7:14)
  3. Jana van den Berg (1:23:10 | +8:01)
Walker Bay Outdoor

The Junior Triathlon saw victories for Sven (second from right) and Nina Tjallingii, over (centre) Miya (left) and Finn Lalor (right) as well as Thomas Pienaar (second from left) Photo by Nick Joubert.

Junior Triathlon

Boys Results:

  1. Sven Tjallingii (24:15)
  2. Thomas Pienaar (25:54 | +1:39)
  3. Finn Lalor (30:05 | +5:50)

Girls Results:

  1. Nina Tjallingii (25:38)
  2. Miya Lalor (26:49 | +1:11)
  3. N/A

The HI-TEC Walker Bay Outdoor also featured a live performance by Me & Mr Green on Sunday evening, which capped a spectacularly social Social Sunday. Photo by Nick Joubert.

Big 6 Final Standings

Men’s Results:

  1. Rudolf Naude (488.86 Points)
  2. Colin Fleming (483.47 Points)
  3. Wynand Hofmeyer (450.54 Points)

Women’s Results:

  1. Bridget Theunissen (493.39 Points)
  2. Tracey Campbell (453.86 Points)
  3. Liza Kingston (437.81 Points)

For more information on how the HI-TEC Walker Bay Outdoor Big 6 results are calculated click here. To view the full results, click here.

Walker Bay Outdoor

That’s a wrap from the 2023 HI-TEC Walker Bay Outdoor. Photo by Matt Ashwell.