Founded in 2001, Jeep Team South Africa is the most consistent, longest-running Sports, Wellness and Lifestyle Team in South Africa.  With around 300 athletes moving through the team over the past 16 years, Jeep Team SA provides a highly educational, support and motivational platform for athletes to grow, develop and mature into national and International stars.  International and National paddling star and coach, Barry Lewin, is the longest-standing member of the team, and is an important compass to all new athletes to the team. With Jeep Team at the helm, international sports events have presented significant opportunities for rising South African athletes to compete on a global stage.

These opportunities have proven that local athletes are able to hold their own in the international sporting arena. However, without structures such as Jeep team SA, this newfound success is often curtailed by a lack of effective guidance and management.  Lewin, who joined the team in 2004, now has several local and international titles to his name. Some of his more notable achievements include winning the Liffey Descent in Ireland on his first attempt in 2007, as well as breaking the 25-year-old K1 record a year later at Australia’s Avon Descent. 

Says Lewin, “In 2004, I was a student at Varsity College eager to take my sport to the next level. I wanted to race against the best in the world, and in as many places as the sport would take me. With the support of Jeep Team South Africa, I got opportunities to race, firstly, around South Africa, and, in time, around the world, testing myself against some of the best paddlers on the planet. My first breakthrough came in 2005, winning the grading race in Cape Town as the first person to break an hour on the course in a new record time. I also finished 3rd at the Fish River Canoe Marathon in the same year.” Since joining the team some 13 years ago, Lewin has developed a profound understanding of Jeep Team’s culture, and plays an active role in leading this ethos and the team ethic to both old and new members of the team. “My highlights have been the amazing places I have paddled and the friends I have made long the way. The results have been a bonus, with wins in South Africa, Ireland, USA, Australia, and the Caribbean. My proudest achievement was captaining the SA National Team to a win at the Southern Shamaal over the strong, favoured Aussie side.” says Lewin.  

Max Cluer, Manager of Jeep Team South Africa says “The goal of the team has been to encourage, support and assist athletes on their journey as racing athletes. Jeep Team SA also has huge aspirational value by educating athletes on social media, cross-sport socialisation, brand building and the opportunity to be the best and race against the best in the world, on the world stage.” Jeep Team South Africa, home to a group of top athletes, all at the top of their game, across different sporting disciplines, is driven to become the most successful all-round sports team. 

Says Lewin, an accomplished river marathon and Surfski paddler. “Jeep Team SA is quite unique in that it poses a full-service support system to the athletes. They don’t put a couple of stickers on your kit and say good luck. They play an integral part in the athletes’ careers. I have been involved with the team for a long time and understand the family culture. The management of the team has always had the athletes’ best interests at heart, and ensures they are mentored, guided and supported. This will be further supported in 2017 with the addition of SARTORITM Brand Managers to the team.”  

Concludes Max Cluer, “With the current crop of massively-talented Jeep Team athletes, which include the likes of World Champion, Hank McGregor, ‘The Beast’, Thomas Van Tonder, and the newly added trail running champion Christiaan Greyling, combined with the support of the team, they can only go from strength to strength in the future.” Says Lewin on his future, “I have a new boat sponsor, Epic Kayaks, and will be racing their boats here in SA, as well as in Mauritius, Europe and Hong Kong this year. I’m hoping to retain my top 10 world series ranking. The Jeep Team is a special family of extraordinary people of whom I am proud to be a part of. I am always extremely proud to pull on my Jeep Team kit and represent this awesome group.”  

Have a look at the following platforms to keep up to date with Jeep Team SA:                                                                        

#JeepTeamSA Website: www.jeepteam.co.za  

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jeepteamsa

Twitter:   @jeepteamsa

Instagram: JeepTeamSA 

For more information please contact Bronwen Blunden on 079 060 1905 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  

JOHANNESBURG, 11 APRIL 2017 – Jeep Team’s eight-time World Canoe Marathon Champion, multiple SA Flat Water Marathon Champion, multiple SA River Marathon Champion, and multiple SA Surfski Champion, Hank McGregor, has been nominated for the Sport Industry Personality of the Year Award at the 2017 Discovery Sport Industry Awards.  An exciting feature of the award is that the winner will be selected by members of the public via an online voting system. The newly-launched Sport Personality of the Year Award has been established to recognise and honour individuals who have made a significant impact to the sport industry and excelled both on and off the field. Nominated alongside McGregor for the 2017 Sport Personality of the Year is Douglas Ryder (Ryder Cycling, Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka), John Comitis (Cape Town City Football Club), and Mimi Mthethwa-Zulu (Netball South Africa). 

To be nominated for the Sport Industry Personality of the Year, sporting personalities should have had a distinguished year in the sport industry, demonstrated how they improved their immediate environments, and be someone who has used PR, marketing, social media, sport marketing and CSI to innovatively and creatively raise their sport’s profile and that of the sports industry.

Says McGregor, “I am honoured to be nominated for Sport Industry Personality of the Year at the Discovery Sport Industry Awards. A big congrats to all nominees.” Discovery Sport Industry Awards is on the 18 May at the Sandton Convention Centre.

Voting for Hank here - http://www.sportindustry.co.za/news/hank-mcgregor-%E2%80%93-world-paddling-champion                                                           

Issued on behalf of Jeep Team SA by Hot Salsa Media - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

For Jeep Team SA: Max Cluer

One of Jeep Team South Africa’s aspirational values is educating athletes on social media, cross-sport socialisation, personal brand building, and the opportunity to be the best and race against the best in the world. In line with this vision and aspiration, the Jeep Team SA management team is proud to welcome SARTORI™ to the broader team in a strategic role.  “Founded in 2001, Jeep Team South Africa is the most consistent, and longest-running, Lifestyle and Wellness Team in South Africa. With around 300 athletes coming through the team over the past 15 years, Jeep Team SA has provided a platform for athletes to grow, develop and mature into national and International stars,” says Max Cluer at Jeep Team SA.   “In recent years, international sports events have presented significant opportunities for rising South African athletes to compete on a global stage. These opportunities have proven that local athletes are able to hold their own in the international sporting arena.

However, this newfound success is often curtailed by a lack of effective guidance and management.   To help the Jeep Team SA brand, and the brand of the individual athletes, stand out in an ever more competitive industry, Jeep Team SA is joined by SARTORI™, with the focus on encouraging, supporting and assisting athletes on their journey as professional competitors.”   SARTORI™ was started by Amy Sartori and with her managing partner, Kyllin Vardhan,  who both have a wealth of experience within the sports, sponsorship, sports and marketing industries.   Sartori has been in the industry for over a decade, working with various marketing related agencies on a vast variety of big brands.

She is also an avid athlete in her personal capacity, having participated in the Comrades Marathon and Ironman 70.3 events, to name a few. Her qualifications and athletic experience provide her with a deep understanding of the sacrifices that need to be made to achieve set goals, and offers the ideal ladder to develop successful brand strategies.  Vardhan was a professional sportsman for over 9 years.

Apart from being a pro-cricketer for the Dolphins, Lions and Titans from 2008 to 2016, he also has BA LLB Hons, is a CSA level 3 coach and an accredited agent in many sporting codes. Having set up two successful businesses, Vardhan understands the needs of sportsmen and women from both a performance and a professional perspective.   Says Vardhan, “Professional athletes have a need for a competent agent advisor who understands the legal, business and financial issues that an athlete will face, and protects and assists them in making the right decisions.”  

Expert guidance and knowledge from SARTORI™ will assist in further entrenching the Jeep Team SA brand and athletes within the sport industry. Jeep Team SA persists in ensuring a sustainable, authentic brand that richly represents what the Team has achieved, who the Team is - a brand that advocates athlete talent identification, mentorship and development.   Concludes Sartori, “Ultimately, it is about unpacking Jeep Team SA in its entirety, including the athletes, and finding that defining attribute that distinguishes this team from the rest of the market place. We ultimately want to take Jeep Team SA to the next level – it is a team that has a solid and consistent history with an incredible story – one the world deserves to hear.”  

EDITORS NOTES   Have a look at the following platforms to keep up to date with Jeep Team SA:   #JeepTeamSA

• Website:www.jeepteam.co.za
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/jeepteamsa
• Twitter: @jeepteamsa
• Instagram: JeepTeamSA  

For more information, please contact Viv on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Bronwen Blunden on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

One of Jeep Team South Africa’s aspirational values is educating athletes on social media, cross-sport socialisation, personal brand building, and the opportunity to be the best and race against the best in the world. In line with this vision and aspiration, the Jeep Team SA management team is proud to welcome SARTORI™ to the broader team in a strategic role.   “Founded in 2001, Jeep Team South Africa is the most consistent, and longest-running, Lifestyle and Wellness Team in South Africa. With around 300 athletes coming through the team over the past 15 years, Jeep Team SA has provided a platform for athletes to grow, develop and mature into national and International stars,” says Max Cluer at Jeep Team SA.   “In recent years, international sports events have presented significant opportunities for rising South African athletes to compete on a global stage.

These opportunities have proven that local athletes are able to hold their own in the international sporting arena. However, this newfound success is often curtailed by a lack of effective guidance and management.   To help the Jeep Team SA brand, and the brand of the individual athletes, stand out in an ever more competitive industry, Jeep Team SA is joined by SARTORI™, with the focus on encouraging, supporting and assisting athletes on their journey as professional competitors.”   SARTORI™ was started by Amy Sartori and with her managing partner, Kyllin Vardhan,  who both have a wealth of experience within the sports, sponsorship, sports and marketing industries.  

Sartori has been in the industry for over a decade, working with various marketing related agencies on a vast variety of big brands. She is also an avid athlete in her personal capacity, having participated in the Comrades Marathon and Ironman 70.3 events, to name a few. Her qualifications and athletic experience provide her with a deep understanding of the sacrifices that need to be made to achieve set goals, and offers the ideal ladder to develop successful brand strategies.   Vardhan was a professional sportsman for over 9 years. Apart from being a pro-cricketer for the Dolphins, Lions and Titans from 2008 to 2016, he also has BA LLB Hons, is a CSA level 3 coach and an accredited agent in many sporting codes. Having set up two successful businesses, Vardhan understands the needs of sportsmen and women from both a performance and a professional perspective.  

Says Vardhan, “Professional athletes have a need for a competent agent advisor who understands the legal, business and financial issues that an athlete will face, and protects and assists them in making the right decisions.”   Expert guidance and knowledge from SARTORI™ will assist in further entrenching the Jeep Team SA brand and athletes within the sport industry. Jeep Team SA persists in ensuring a sustainable, authentic brand that richly represents what the Team has achieved, who the Team is - a brand that advocates athlete talent identification, mentorship and development.  

Concludes Sartori, “Ultimately, it is about unpacking Jeep Team SA in its entirety, including the athletes, and finding that defining attribute that distinguishes this team from the rest of the market place. We ultimately want to take Jeep Team SA to the next level – it is a team that has a solid and consistent history with an incredible story – one the world deserves to hear.”  

EDITORS NOTES   Have a look at the following platforms to keep up to date with Jeep Team SA:   #JeepTeamSA

Website: www.jeepteam.co.za

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jeepteamsa

Twitter: @jeepteamsa

Instagram: JeepTeamSA  

For more information, please contact Viv on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Bronwen Blunden on This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.  

Jeep Team South Africa is set on becoming the most successful all-round Sports Team in the country with a group of top athletes, all at the top of their game, across different sporting disciplines.   Since inception in 2001, over 300 of the country’s top athletes have been through Jeep Team’s Athlete House, building their performances and their personal brands, with many going on to compete successfully overseas.   

The newest addition to the team is Christiaan Greyling, South Africa’s Trail Running Champion. Christiaan, husband toLandie Greyling, SA's top female trail runner and arguably one of the best in the world,is a qualified Industrial Engineer (Hons)employed as the Supply Chain Manager at Chill Beverages.   Greyling is no newcomer to the trail podium and is alsoa strongmulti-discipline contender. He recently won the demanding LEDLensor 265km Wartrail Challenge, a 60km mountain run, 120 km MTB, and a 65km paddle, in a time of 21:15:26, some 22 minutes ahead of 2nd placed Leo Sorenson (21:37:30), and 3rd placed JacoLaurens (22:00:00). All in a day’s work for Greyling.   With Jeep Team at the helm, Greylinghas been given the opportunity to take on the biggest Ultra Trail Runs in South Africaandinternationally this year.

The Mont Blanc 80km in June, the 50km Dodo Trail in Mauritius in July, and the 45km Ultra Trail Pyrenees in Spain in September are just a handful of his 2017 international ambitions.   Locally, Christiaan and his wife, Landie Greyling, on the 25th of November 2017, are taking on the first-ever Lesotho Ultra Trail race, a 50km Ultra Sky-Marathon in an attempt at traversing the Lesotho Mountains.   The raceis run at its highest altitude at 3000m to 3155m, with two massiveclimbs (many smaller ones too), the first being 12km into the race at 1139m+, and the second at 40km at 727m+.  

Greyling’s sporting career highlights include winning the Ultra Trail Cape Town 100km race amongst a very strong field of local and international athletes; winning the 20th Skyrun 100km, and coming second in the tough 8-day stage race in the European Alps (teamed with his wife, Landie Greyling).   Greyling’ssporting achievements in the past few years include the 2017 - 1stOpen Male – LED Lenser Wartrail Challenge; in 2016, the 1stMale in the100km Sky-Run, and 3rdin the SA Long Distance Trail Champs, and 13thMale in the80km Marathon du Mont-Blanc, France. In 2015, he was1stOpen Male in theUltra-Trail Cape Town 100km; the2nd Mixed Team in the Transalpine Run (an 8-day stage race, Europe), and in 2014, he was the 1stSolo Male and Record Holder in the Table Mountain Challenge.  

Say Christiaan Greyling,“I am truly excited to announce that I am part of Team Jeep to further exploit my career as professional trail runner. My focus has been on trial running since 2012, but prior to this I participated in Adventure Racing for several years. I believe great opportunities are created when positive people meet.   Team Jeep has successfully assisted many SA sport stars to achieve their dreams since 2001. I am positive that together with Salomon, Garmin and Jeep Team, we will build the ‘Christiaan Greyling’ brand to all benefit in both the Outdoor and Corporate space. My 2017 goal iswinning an International ultra-marathon.”  

Says Max Cluer, owner/manager of the Jeep Team South Africa, "We are stoked to have Christiaan representing the Jeep brand and are excited to work with him in building his profile and his brand through the team. His professionalism and success on the trail running side certainly brings a new dynamic to the team with a trail running focused athlete and we hope to use his knowledge and experience to help us find new trail running talent for the team.”  

EDITORS NOTES
Have a look at the following platforms to keep up to date with Jeep Team SA:   #JeepTeamSA Website:                www.jeepteam.co.za Facebook:             www.facebook.com/jeepteamsa Twitter:                  @jeepteamsa Instagram:             JeepTeamSA   For more information please contact Bronwen Blunden on 079 060 1905 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  

JOHANNESBURG, GAUTENG, 29 MARCH 2017– Top South African OCR and Jeep Team athlete, Thomas van Tonder, took back-to-back victories this past weekend at Gauteng’ s The Beast and Western Cape’s The Grind’s OCR events.   The action started on Saturday, 25 March, at The Beast Challenge Race #9 at The Wedge 4x4 trail in Mulders drift, and ended on Sunday at Western Cape’s The Grind 1702 at The Cape Argus Sport Show.   Three Jeep Team SA Elite OCR athletes, Thomas van Tonder, Jay Jay Deysel and Carina Marx, raced the relentless Savage Beast, which included over 50 obstacles over an 11km trail. Jeep team’s OCR superstars, Thomas van Tonder and Carina Marx both took first-place in the Men Elite and the Women Elite events.                                                                  

In the men’s race, Van Tonder, who is the most successful Beast contender to date, claimed his 9th unbeaten, consecutive Savage Beast victory in a time of 01:09:29, with Bradley Claase, second in 01:12:02, and third to Michael Joubert in 01:23:00. Jeep Team’s Jay Jay Deysel crossed the line in 5th place in a time of 01:25:16.  

The women’s race saw an emphatic win for Carina Marx, her 5th Savage Beast title, in a time of 01:48:07, some 17 minutes ahead of the second-placed Sam Gilchrist, and third placed Jetaime Ribbink.   On Sunday, 26 March, van Tonder flew to the Western Cape to compete in The Grind 1702 at the Cape Argus Sport Show held at Sandring ham Farm in Stellenbosch. The Grind featured five different events for beginners, fun-seekers, masters and elite athletes.   Van Tonder participated in The Deep Grind Elite, a 10km trail run featuring up to 40 challenging obstacles. Van Tonder rounded off his winning weekend with a first-place finish at The Grind. 

  Results for Savage Beast – Beast #9 Men: 1. Thomas van Tonder            01:09:29 2. Bradley Claase                    01:12:02 3. Michael Joubert   01:23:00  4. Greg Avierinos  01:24:00    5. Jay Jay Deysel  01:25:16  

Women: 1. Carina Marx                                    01:48:07 2. Sam Gilchrist                       02:05:12 3. Jetaime Ribbink     OTHER JEEP TEAM NEWS   MTB Jeep Team’s mountain biking superstar, Pierre Smith, participated in the Lake Umuzi Cosmos 3-in-1 MTB Challenge on 25 March, albeit a day after being hit by a car whilst out on his bike.   This one-day Ultimate 100km multiple-stage race featured the fittest and strongest mountain bikers in the country, consisting of a 68km MTB marathon race in the morning, a 33km MTB half-marathon at lunch time, and a cross-country lap race in the late afternoon.   Smith showed his metal-mentality by competing strapped and bruised, eventually claiming an impressive 3rd place finish overall after finishing 5th in the 68km marathon, 5th in the 33km half-marathon and 3rd in the cross-country lap race. Nothing average about this Smith!    

INTERNATIONAL JEEP TEAM – TRACK AND FIELD The Hurricane Invitational Jeep Team athlete, Mikaela Jonsson, currently enrolled at Florida Atlantic University, competed in the 2017 Hurricane Invitational at Cobb Stadium at the University of Miami on 18 March 2017.The Hurricane Invitational marked the opening of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Outdoor Season. Following a week of heavy training, Jonsson set a personal best in the 800m, finishing in third place in a time of 2m14.18s.  

Results – 800m 1. Maddie Beaubien   (South Carolina)          2:12.92 2. Sharon Dorsey         (George Mason)          2:14.02 3. Mikaela Jonsson    (Florida Atlantic)       2:14.18       University of Miami Athletics Meet Not one to shy away from challenges and excited to see just how far she can go in her favoured fast 800m, Freshman Michaela Jonsson (Florida Atlantic University) competed in athletics meet at the University of Miami this past weekend.   A large, highly-competitive group saw Michaela competing against the likes of graduates and freshman from universities such as Harvard, Connecticut and Virginia, as well as a pro-elite field including the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) National Champ and an Olympian athlete.   Jonsson looked like a champion in the making chasing down the field to finally achieve an impressive 8th College Athlete overall and 1st Freshmen after four heats totally 60 athletes.

EDITORS NOTES   Have a look at the following platforms to keep up to date with Jeep Team SA:   #JeepTeamSA Website:                www.jeepteam.co.za Facebook:             www.facebook.com/jeepteamsa Twitter:                  @jeepteamsa Instagram:             JeepTeamSA   For more information please contact Bronwen Blunden on 079 060 1905 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..    

The Beast Challenge The Beast obstacle course race is a challenge that anyone can enjoy. The courses involve trail running, climbing, crawling, and sliding across various obstacles that have been designed by professional Obstacle Course Race athletes. It is an exhilarating race that boasts three race categories to accommodate all participants, from family, friends, and work colleagues to SA’s strongest and toughest athletes.   The Tame Beast is a fun-filled short course that is suitable for beginners, families and friends looking for some fun action on a weekend. The course is approx. 5km in length, features around 15 obstacles and has a low difficulty rating.  

The Wild Beast course is a tougher challenge that will test fitness and focus. The Wild Beast is a tough challenge for all and will require some strength and fitness to compete and complete the race. The course is approx. 10km long, features around 30 obstacles, and has a medium difficulty rating.   The Savage Beast takes Obstacle Course Racing to a new level; a gruelling trial for serious athletes that will push both physical and mental limits. The course is approx. 15km long, features over 50 obstacles, and has a hard difficulty rating.  

Upcoming Beast Challenge Races:(all races at The Wedge Outdoor Park, Muldersdrift) Beast #10              6 May 2017 Beast #11              2 September 2017 Beast #12              7 October 2017 Beast #13              11 November 2017   For more info, visit www.thebeastchallenge.co.za  

PIETERMARITZBURG, KZN, 24 MARCH 2017– This past weekend (11 – 12 March), saw Emerald Resort and Casino in Vanderbijlparkplay host to Race #2 of the Toyota Warrior Race, powered by Reebok.   The return of the Warrior Race to the heart of the Vaal Triangle attracted over 4000 obstacle course racerslooking to tackle the infamous Warrior Race known for its well-built obstacles and multiple race formats.   The Jeep Team athletes performed at optimum throughout the weekend, starting with the Ladies Reebok Sprint and the Team Reebok Sprint - a new, short,high-intensive course spanning 400m with 10 obstacles, a great warm up for the elite Jeep Team athletes.   Jeep Team athlete and Top 3 2016 SA OCR Champion,

Carina Marx,finished 2nd in Ladies Reebok Sprint on the Saturday, and in the Mixed Team, she raced with Jeep Team SA mates, Thomas van Tonder and Joshua Masudi, finishing 2nd overall.  

Says Marx,“The Reebok Sprint racing was a first for me. It was a great warm up but also lots of fun. Just had to make sure I didn’t pick up an injury prior to the Black Ops Elite race.Racing with my team mates was good fun, and we picked up 2nd place against some tough competition.” On Sunday saw the tough,world-OCR-benchmark race, Black Ops Elite, featuringsome 30 obstacles over 17km, designed to challenge South Africa’s top OCR athletes in thirty different ways fromendurance, strength and agility, to upper body strength, and carrying and dragging heavy objects for set distances.  

Jeep Team OCR athleteand 2016 SA OCR Men’s Champion, Thomas van Tonder, finished 2ndin the Black Ops Elite race in 01:30:08, behind eventual winner, Claude Eksteen in 01:29:02, withLouis Smitrounding off the podium in 01:30:43.   Says Van Tonder:“I’m super proud of our SA Jeep Team after some solid racing. I’m happy to have finished second in the Black Ops Elite after a rookie mistake. I was so focused on chasing “the Flash” Claude Eksteen,that I got to the end of BreakingPoint and never rang the bell.

I had to go back and do it again. I won’t make that mistake again.”   Jeep Team’s Carina Marxfinished 5thoverall in the Women’s Black Ops Elite race in 03:05:19. Hanneke Dannhauser took the top spot in a time of 01:54:59, with a Sabrina Daolio in second in a time of 01:59:58 and third was Dominique D’Oliveira in 02:13:24, with Trish Bahlmann in fourth in 2:18:20.   Says Marx,“I completed the race in a very frustrating 5th place after getting stuck at a silly obstacle that I have never had a problem with before.

This unfortunately cost me a lot of time and I ended up racing just to get points on the board. It was a very hard pill to swallow, but I believe that I will only get stronger through this experience. There is always room for improvement and that's exactly what I will do. I'm now even more determined for the next race at Van Gaalens Cheese Farm in April. “  

Results – Black Ops Elite Men     1. Claude Eksteen    01:29:02   2. Thomas van Tonder   01:30:08      3. Louis Smit 01:30:43 4. Hlelani Radebe  01:34:00 5. Trevor Lagerwey 01:35:12  

Women 1. Hanneke Dannhauser   01:54:59  2. Sabrina Daolio  01:59:58  3. Dominique D’Oliveira  02:13:24 4. Trish Bahlmann 02:18:20 5. Carina Marx  03:05:19  

Other Jeep News   International Jeep Team Achievements Triathlon Jeep Team’s rising triathlon superstar racing in the USA, Mikaela Jonsson, participated in the City Bikes Las Olas International Sprint Triathlon on 12 March 2017 at the Fort Lauderdale Beach Park in Florida, USA.  

The Las Olas Triathlon is a destination event for the new and experienced triathletes. The sprint course includes a 500m swim, an 18.5km cycle and a 5km run.   Jonsson finished 3rd female overall in a time of 01:08:31 - a huge testament to Jonsson’s talent and capabilities.  

Results - Female Overall 1. Meagan Bradley          01:07:17.46 2. Stephanie Solinski       01:08:15.84 3. Mikaela Jonsson          01:08:31.81   FNB Surfski Series FINALE Friday, 10 March 2017, saw the 2017 FNB Surfski Series come to an exciting end with the Varsity College Surfski Challenge and the Varsity College SA Schools Championships taking place at the Marine Surf Lifesaving Club at Addington Beach.   Multiple SA Surfski Champion and Jeep Team paddler, Hank McGregor, claimed an impressive seventh win of the 2017 series. McGregor narrowly beatKenny Rice to the post, while Matt Bouman rounded out the podium in third.   In the women’s race, Hayley Nixon claimed the top spot and wrapped up the overall women’s title. Nixon powered her way across the finish to win by just over a minute ahead of Bridgitte Hartley in second, and with Kyeta Purchase in third.  

Results Men – Long Course 1. Hank McGregor  31m24s  2. Kenny Rice 31m42s  3. Matt Bouman   31m45s  

Women – Long Course 1. Hayley Nixon  36m39s 2. Bridgitte Hartley  37m30s  3. Kyeta Purchase 39m08s    

EDITORS NOTES   Have a look at the following platforms to keep up to date with Jeep Team SA:  

#JeepTeamSA  Website:  www.jeepteam.co.za

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jeepteamsa  

Twitter: @jeepteamsa   Instagram: JeepTeamSA  

For more information please contact Bronwen Blunden on 079 060 1905 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..    

About Warrior Race The Warrior Race burst onto the scene in 2013 and spearheaded the sudden rise of obstacle course racing in South Africa. It quickly grew to up to 9000 participants per event and remains at the forefront of the growth spurt in the fledgling sport of obstacle racing with its larger than life obstacles and innovative courses to challenge South Africans.   One of the reasons why obstacle racing is so popular, is because anyone can participate. All you need is a pair of old running shoes and a sense of adventure.  What makes obstacle racing unique is that it is one of only a few opportunities for athletes from different sporting codes to compete against each other on a level playing field.  

What is obstacle course racing? Obstacle course racing (OCR) is a sport in which a competitor completes a course on foot, encountering physical challenges/obstacles along the way.   At Warrior Race, competitors are challenged by world-class obstacles that will involve jumping off a 6m or 4m platform into water, crawling through mud under a wire fence, battling up slippery slopes and running or swimming across water obstacles, hanging off ladders and ropes across distances and more.   Upcoming 2017 Toyota Warrior Series events: #Warrior3                             22-23 April                           Van Gaalen, Gauteng #Warrior4                               27-28 May                            Kwanyoni Lodge, Mpumalanga #Warrior5                             19-20 August                       Venue TBA, KwaZulu-Natal #Warrior6                      16-17 September                 Tierpoort Adventure Farm, Gauteng #Warrior7                             21-22 October                     Meerendal Wine Estate, Western Cape #Warrior8    25-26 November                 Riversands Farm, Gauteng   To find out more about the Toyota Warrior Series, go to www.warrior.co.za  

PIETERMARITZBURG, KZN, 17 MARCH 2017–This past weekend (11 – 12 March), saw Emerald Resort and Casino in Vanderbijlparkplay host to Race #2 of the Toyota Warrior Race, powered by Reebok.

The return of the Warrior Race to the heart of the Vaal Triangle attracted over 4000 obstacle course racerslooking to tackle the infamous Warrior Race known for its well-built obstacles and multiple race formats. The Jeep Team athletes performed at optimum throughout the weekend, starting with the Ladies Reebok Sprint and the Team Reebok Sprint - a new, short,high-intensive course spanning 400m with 10 obstacles, a great warm up for the elite Jeep Team athletes.  

Jeep Team athlete and Top 3 2016 SA OCR Champion, Carina Marx,finished 2nd in Ladies Reebok Sprint on the Saturday, and in the Mixed Team, she raced with Jeep Team SA mates, Thomas van Tonder and Joshua Masudi, finishing 2nd overall. Says Marx,“The Reebok Sprint racing was a first for me. It was a great warm up but also lots of fun. Just had to make sure I didn’t pick up an injury prior to the Black Ops Elite race.Racing with my team mates was good fun, and we picked up 2nd place against some tough competition.” On Sunday saw the tough,world-OCR-benchmark race, Black Ops Elite, featuringsome 30 obstacles over 17km, designed to challenge South Africa’s top OCR athletes in thirty different ways fromendurance, strength and agility, to upper body strength, and carrying and dragging heavy objects for set distances.  

Jeep Team OCR athleteand 2016 SA OCR Men’s Champion, Thomas van Tonder, finished 2ndin the Black Ops Elite race in 01:30:08, behind eventual winner, Claude Eksteen in 01:29:02, withLouis Smitrounding off the podium in 01:30:43. Says Van Tonder:“I’m super proud of our SA Jeep Team after some solid racing. I’m happy to have finished second in the Black Ops Elite after a rookie mistake. I was so focused on chasing “the Flash” Claude Eksteen,that I got to the end of BreakingPoint and never rang the bell. I had to go back and do it again. I won’t make that mistake again.” Jeep Team’s Carina Marxfinished 5thoverall in the Women’s Black Ops Elite race in 03:05:19. Hanneke Dannhauser took the top spot in a time of 01:54:59, with a Sabrina Daolio in second in a time of 01:59:58 and third was Dominique D’Oliveira in 02:13:24, with Trish Bahlmann in fourth in 2:18:20.  

Says Marx,“I completed the race in a very frustrating 5th place after getting stuck at a silly obstacle that I have never had a problem with before. This unfortunately cost me a lot of time and I ended up racing just to get points on the board. It was a very hard pill to swallow, but I believe that I will only get stronger through this experience. There is always room for improvement and that's exactly what I will do. I'm now even more determined for the next race at Van Gaalens Cheese Farm in April. “

Results – Black Ops Elite Men

1. Claude Eksteen - 01:29:02
2. Thomas van Tonder - 01:30:08
3. Louis Smit - 01:30:43
4. Hlelani Radebe - 01:34:00
5. Trevor Lagerwey - 01:35:12  

Women

1. Hanneke Dannhauser - 01:54:59
2. Sabrina Daolio - 01:59:58
3. Dominique D’Oliveira - 02:13:24
4. Trish Bahlmann - 02:18:20
5. Carina Marx - 03:05:19  

Other Jeep News   International Jeep Team Achievements Triathlon
Jeep Team’s rising triathlon superstar racing in the USA, Mikaela Jonsson, participated in the City Bikes Las Olas International Sprint Triathlon on 12 March 2017 at the Fort Lauderdale Beach Park in Florida, USA.   The Las Olas Triathlon is a destination event for the new and experienced triathletes. The sprint course includes a 500m swim, an 18.5km cycle and a 5km run.   Jonsson finished 3rd female overall in a time of 01:08:31 - a huge testament to Jonsson’s talent and capabilities.

Results - Female Overall

1. Meagan Bradley - 01:07:17.46
2. Stephanie Solinski - 01:08:15.84
3. Mikaela Jonsson - 01:08:31.81

FNB Surfski Series FINALE Friday, 10 March 2017, saw the 2017 FNB Surfski Series come to an exciting end with the Varsity College Surfski Challenge and the Varsity College SA Schools Championships taking place at the Marine Surf Lifesaving Club at Addington Beach.

Multiple SA Surfski Champion and Jeep Team paddler, Hank McGregor, claimed an impressive seventh win of the 2017 series. McGregor narrowly beatKenny Rice to the post, while Matt Bouman rounded out the podium in third.   In the women’s race, Hayley Nixon claimed the top spot and wrapped up the overall women’s title. Nixon powered her way across the finish to win by just over a minute ahead of Bridgitte Hartley in second, and with Kyeta Purchase in third.  

Results Men – Long Course

1. Hank McGregor  31m24s
2. Kenny Rice   31m42s
3. Matt Bouman  31m45s  

Women – Long Course

1. Hayley Nixon   36m39s
2. Bridgitte Hartley  37m30s
3. Kyeta Purchase    39m08s    

EDITORS NOTES   Have a look at the following platforms to keep up to date with Jeep Team SA:   #JeepTeamSA
Website: www.jeepteam.co.za
Facebook: www.facebook.com/jeepteamsa
Twitter: @jeepteamsa
Instagram: JeepTeamSA

For more information please contact Bronwen Blunden on 079 060 1905 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

About Warrior Race
The Warrior Race burst onto the scene in 2013 and spearheaded the sudden rise of obstacle course racing in South Africa. It quickly grew to up to 9000 participants per event and remains at the forefront of the growth spurt in the fledgling sport of obstacle racing with its larger than life obstacles and innovative courses to challenge South Africans.

One of the reasons why obstacle racing is so popular, is because anyone can participate. All you need is a pair of old running shoes and a sense of adventure.  What makes obstacle racing unique is that it is one of only a few opportunities for athletes from different sporting codes to compete against each other on a level playing field.  

What is obstacle course racing?
Obstacle course racing (OCR) is a sport in which a competitor completes a course on foot, encountering physical challenges/obstacles along the way. At Warrior Race, competitors are challenged by world-class obstacles that will involve jumping off a 6m or 4m platform into water, crawling through mud under a wire fence, battling up slippery slopes and running or swimming across water obstacles, hanging off ladders and ropes across distances and more.  

Upcoming 2017 Toyota Warrior Series events:

#Warrior3 - 22-23 April - Van Gaalen, Gauteng
#Warrior4 - 27-28 May - Kwanyoni Lodge, Mpumalanga
#Warrior5 - 19-20 August - Venue TBA, KwaZulu-Natal
#Warrior6 - 16-17 September - Tierpoort Adventure Farm, Gauteng
#Warrior7 - 21-22 October - Meerendal Wine Estate, Western Cape
#Warrior8 - 25-26 November - Riversands Farm, Gauteng

To find out more about the Toyota Warrior Series, go to www.warrior.co.za  

GAUTENG, SOUTH AFRICA, November 2016 – Jeep Team athlete and KZN’s rising multisport superstar, Mikaela Jonsson (18) proved her mettle by getting a well-earned silver medal at the 2016 Snowy Mountains ITU Cross Triathlon World Championships (Under 19’s) on the 20 November in Australia. Located in the heart of Australia’s High County, and starting at an altitude of 1100m with Australia’s highest peak, Mt Kosciusko as the backdrop, Jonsson’s Junior U19 race consisted of a 500m swim in the cold 16-20 degree Lake Crackenback; a 12km MTB, which was two 6km laps comprising approx. 80% grippy, flowing single track, rocky paths, bridges, rock gardens and creek crossings; and a 3.3km trail run, which was a technically-challenging course with energy-sapping short, punchy climbs and descents with creek crossings, a river run, a suspension bridge, obstacles, rock scrambles and some true off road terrain.

Says Jonsson, “I'm really happy because I left it all out there. Came out the swim 3rd, onto the bike 2nd. Unfortunately, I got a hectic chain suck just as I was catching the leading girl on the bike so lost a lot of time sorting it out. Went onto the run like a mad woman and just couldn't catch her after closing the gap a lot on the run. But that's racing! Standing on that podium was so incredible.” This is Mikaela’s final junior year and Under 19 athlete, and she made the most it conquering the high altitude and rugged terrain in an impressive time of 1.14.17, a minute behind Australian Laura May who claimed the World Champion title in a time of 1.13.20.

Jonsson, who placed 4th in the champs in 2014, skipped 2015 due to clashes with her Matric studies and set her sights on the 2016 World Championships with a gruelling 6-day-week training schedule. Undeterred by a lack of funding to compete in the event, Jonsson turned to a crowdfunding platform to achieve her goal. Said Jonsson, “Unfortunately no support is given by our National Federation and all travel, accommodation and team kit costs have to be covered by the athletes, hence my fundraising efforts to go after my goal.” It has been an epic year for the determined Jeep Team Athlete, with Jonsson winning her first ever Olympic Distance Triathlon at the Tinman Tri-Series in Durban in July. What’s next for the athlete? “Going forward I hope to be able to race around the globe doing what I love while representing my country - swimming, cycling, running, and of course capturing moments through my camera lens. My ultimate goal is to compete at the Olympic Games one day,” she said. 2016 Snowy Mountains ITU Triathlon World Championships: 2016 Junior Women Results breakdown Pos First Name Last Name Country Time Swim T1 Bike T2 Run

1 Laura May AUS 01:13:20 00:07:03 00:00:51 00:44:53 00:00:46 00:19:47

2 Mikaela Jonsson RSA 01:14:17 00:08:56 00:00:46 00:44:54 00:00:52 00:18:50

3 Georgia Silvestri AUS 01:21:28 00:09:37 00:00:48 00:48:06 00:00:48 00:22:10

4 Victoria Vaquero Florez ESP 01:25:29 00:09:18 00:00:38 00:49:34 00:00:41 00:25:18

5 Emily King AUS 01:28:55 00:08:53 00:00:52 00:54:37 00:00:41 00:23:52

DNF Olivia Nendick AUS DNF 00:09:31 00:00:53 00:00:00 00:00:00 00:00:00  

OTHER JEEP TEAM NEWS: Obstacle Course Racing – Jeep Team take 1st and 3rd in the overall Jeep Team Series Men and 3rd in the Women. OCR Athletes Thomas Van Tonder won the Legends MX Jeep Warrior Race in Pretoria (01:57:23) and the overall Jeep Warrior Series on Sunday 20th November 2016, netting R50 000 in prize money.

Jeep Team athlete, Jay Jay Deysel placed 4th earning him a massive 3rd overall in the series. Greg Avierinos claimed second (02:07:53) and Claude Eksteen third (02:10:32). In the women’s race, Hanneke Dannhauser took the title on race day in a time of 02:28:55, with Michelle Meyer second in a time of 02:42:01 and Dominque D‘Oliveira third in a time of 02:45:16.Jeep Team’s Carina Marx ended her season with an impressive third in the Black Ops Elite Women’s division in the 2016 Jeep Warrior Series.

JEEP WARRIOR SERIES WINNERS 2016:

Women: 1. Hanneke Dannhauser    20,000  2.  Trish Bahlmann        18,082    3.       Carina Marx                           15,860

Men: 1.  Thomas van Tonder       19,844  2.Greg Avierinos   17,253             3.       Jay Jay Deysel                       16,550  

About Jeep Team SA: Jeep Team SA was founded in 2001 with its first calendar year of racing in 2002. 13 years later the team continues to identify and produce world class athletes across its selected sporting disciplines. Its core ethos and focus has never changed and has always been based on helping the athletes achieve their goals and dreams by providing them with the right building blocks and teaching them the business of sport.   Keep up with the action on the Jeep Team SA social media platforms #JeepTeamSA Facebook:     www.facebook.com/jeepteamsa Twitter:         www.twitter.com/jeepteamsa Instagram:    www.instasgram.com/JeepTeamSA Issued by Hot Salsa Media on behalf of Jeep Team SA For more information, please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit www.jeepteam.co.za

JOHANNESBURG, 07 NOVEMBER 2016 – Jeep Team’s eight-time World Canoe Marathon Champion, Hank McGregor, is set to end 2016 on a high note after being nominated for the Sportsman of the Year award at both the South African Sports Awards and the World Paddlers Awards. McGregor has proven unbeatable in 2016, winning numerous international and national titles across different paddling disciplines that included surfski, flat water and river canoe marathon, and canoe sprints.

Highlights from McGregor’s 2016 season include double gold at the IFC Canoe Marathon World Championships in Germany; winning the Breizh Ocean Race (France), and the Mauritius Ocean Classic. Local victories include a record 11th win at the Berg River Marathon, winning the Hansa River Canoe Marathon, the Durban Downwind, and the Umkomaas Canoe Marathon. It is this formidable form and performance that has earned him the prestigious nomination at both the national and international sporting awards.

This is McGregor’s first nomination for South African Sportsman of the Year at the South African Sports Awards, which puts him in line to take home the title of Sportsman of the Year along with the R130 000 prize money when the awards take place on 26 November in Mangaung. Other nominees in this category include last year’s winner, Wayde van Niekerk (Olympic Gold Athletics), Caster Semenya (Olympic Gold), and Chad le Clos (Olympic Silver Swimming). The South African Sports Awards were established in 2005 to recognise and honour individuals and teams who have excelled both on and off the field.

To be nominated for the Sportsman of the Year Award, athletes should have produced a world-class performance on the national, continental and global arena, continuously set world records, and displayed acceptable conduct in their respective sporting codes. McGregor’s sportsmanship has been recognised locally and internationally, consistently nominated for top honours at the World Paddler Awards since its inception three years ago. McGregor was the first athlete to take home the coveted World Paddler Sportsman of the Year Award at the inaugural awards in Germany in 2014.

Nominated alongside McGregor for the 2016 World Paddler Sportsman of the Year Award is Travis Grant (Australia), Curtis McGrath (United Kingdom), Aniol Serasolses (Spain) and the Men’s Canoe Polo Team (Italy).

Says McGregor: “I am honoured to be nominated for the Sportsman of the Year at SA Sports Awards and the World Paddler Awards.  To be nominated amongst such a strong field of athletes really is the finishing touch to a great year for me. Thank you to everyone who continues to support me along my journey, and big congrats to all nominees” The World Paddler Sportsman of the Year Award celebrates the most remarkable and outstanding male athlete or male team from the world of paddle-sports, as well as recognising the athlete’s achievements from the previous calendar year.

This ceremony takes place in Portugal in February 2017. This weekend, 12th and 13th November, McGregor will be in Hong Kong competing in his final international race of the year, the Hong Kong Dragon Run, a premier World Surfski Series event. This race is a tough 24km downwind paddling route traversing the spectacular Hong Kong Island.  The start is at Clearwater bay beach in Kowloon, and ends at Stanley Main beach on Hong Kong Island.

Issued on behalf of Jeep Team SA by Hot Salsa Media - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. For Jeep Team SA: Max Cluer