Mischo Erban Qualifies #1
Mischo Erban leads Olivier Bareaud in practice. Photo Sharon La Grange
Kogelburg, South Africa- Mischo Erban posted the fastest time in Downhill Skateboard, qualifying for tomorrow’s Hot Heels Africa World Cup. The race is the eighth and final stop of the 2008 IGSA World Cup Series. Qualifying in second was Switzerland’s Aki von Glasow who found his form again after a long layoff due to injury.
Aki von Glasow back in form and on his way to qualifying second. Photo Sharon La Grange
South African Decio Lourenco, who also had a long break, was some 5 seconds slower than von Glasow in third. Last week's Fair Cape winner Glen Phillips used the practice runs to good effect mastering the challenging Hot Heels course. His speeds increased steadily throughout practice, and he qualified fourth. Last years second place finisher Mike Zietsman had other commitments for the first two days of the event, but will be racing tomorrow.
A group of riders waiting in the shade for their qualifying run. Photo Sharon La Grange
The baboons did not wreak too much havoc this morning and runs got under way on a sunny morning with a strong South Easterly wind. The winds slowed the riders in the uphill section near the dam, where it blows straight down the course. Practice runs went off really well with the two Mitsubishi vehicles, which shuttled the riders with super efficient speed, and most riders got up to 10 practice runs.
Pierre-Yves Ritschard qualified in 16th. Photo Sharon La Grange
Pete Connolly's leg stiffened up overnight so he decided to give it a rest today. He hopes it will recover enough to allow him to race tomorrow. Zeid Bataineh's back was sufficiently recovered for him to take part in the time trials. With the great team of marshals and a switched-on team of timers, the qualifying runs for Classic Luge, Downhill Skateboarding and Street Luge ran very smoothly.
Olivier Bareaud making the most of the Kogelburg course. Photo Sharon La Grange
Former World Cup Series Champion Beni Weber arrived just as qualifying started and posted the fastest time in Classic Luge ahead of Konstantin Weigl from Austria. Abdil Mahdzan from Malaysia finished in third.
In the Street Luge, Fair Cape winner Russell Naude outpaced Weber to qualify first with another South African regular Waldo Swiegelaar in third. Mahdzan finished in fourth and Glen Phillips fifth. The event organizers have been informed that former World Champion Leander Lacey has made his flight connections from the Wild Coast and will be racing tomorrow.
The evening had no SAGRA activities with most of the riders enjoying eating out and watching DVDs on a wall of one of the chalets at the Hangklip Hotel. Many (but by no means all!) turned in for an early night in anticipation of the final day's racing of the highly successful 2008 IGSA World Cup Series season.
In the Street Luge, Fair Cape winner Russell Naude outpaced Weber to qualify first with another South African regular Waldo Swiegelaar in third. Mahdzan finished in fourth and Glen Phillips fifth. The event organizers have been informed that former World Champion Leander Lacey has made his flight connections from the Wild Coast and will be racing tomorrow.
The evening had no SAGRA activities with most of the riders enjoying eating out and watching DVDs on a wall of one of the chalets at the Hangklip Hotel. Many (but by no means all!) turned in for an early night in anticipation of the final day's racing of the highly successful 2008 IGSA World Cup Series season.