MOSSEL BAY NEWS - Mossel Bay's first ever Downhill Dash - which included skate boarding, a soap box derby, and a cycling criterium, and which took place last Saturday, September 17th - has been hailed an unparalleled success.
"Thousands of spectators flocked to the CBD in anticipation of this inaugural event," said organiser and Waves Surf Shop owner, Michael Sheppard.

"Mossel Bay couldn't have looked any better - the sun was out and we had one of the warmest spring days.
"Competitors came from Johannesburg, Durban, East London, Cape Town, Stellenbosch, Cape St Francis, George, and Mossel Bay - and included people from 15 to 40 years of age."

He said Murray Chandler clocked the fastest time - 87 km per hour - in the downhill race, which saw competitors flying down the 750 metre Park Side West Hill, which lies at angle of eight degrees.

Mr Chandler received a prize of R1 000, which was sponsored by Mossel Bay Tourism

"All the competitors blew our minds" said Mr Sheppard. "Their talent and amazing speed and agility will remain imprinted on our memories for a time to come."

With Marsh Street closed for the afternoon, spectators were treated to a 'Bomb the Hill' race (which attracted some of the country's best downhill speed skate boarders); a 'Cruise The Hill' event (during which skaters expressed themselves on the tar by power sliding and carving their way through a set course); a 'Grind The Metal' event (where skaters showed off their skills on the Element Mobile Skate Ramp); a soap box derby (down the Park Side West Hill); and a traditional cycling criterium (in which cyclists raced over a set course and for a set time along Marsh Street).

Organiser of the criterium, Marius van der Mescht, said that the race was well supported and that all the cyclist said that they'd enjoyed it tremendously.

The Elite Men's race was won by Wicus Boshoff of George, while top honours for the Elite Women's race went to Herbertsdale's Hilzane Duitsjan, and Sedgefield's Eugene Roux won the Masters event.
"This year only Southern Cape cyclists took part - but next year cyclists from around the country will participate," he said.
The soap box derby organiser, John Crawley said that local resident Luan du Toit won the derby on a home-built machine which clocked an incredible 54 km per hour.
He said that the short lead-in time had left many potential competitors without a ride, but that he hoped for better results next year.
"Come on soap box guys, let's show the skateboarders how it should be done. Start building your soap boxer (kaskarre) now for February 2012!"
Mossel Bay Tourism Chairman, Renè Bongers said that the success of the Downhill Dash exceeded everybody's expectations.
"Mossel Bay is committed to sports tourism, and we're keen to embrace all the sporting codes - on land, on the sea, and in the air.
"We congratulate the organisers, participants, and spectators on a fantastic show. I just know that the Dash is set to become one of the most popular events on Mossel Bay's annual calendar."

The next Downhill Dash will take place on the 4th and 5th of February, 2012.

Michael Sheppard said that the everyone owed special thanks to Mossel Bay's Executive Mayor, alderlady Marie Ferreira, the Municipality of Mossel Bay, the sponsors (Nixon - the official time keeper - Sector 9, Element, Von Zipper, Kustom, Café Havana, Mark E Jewelers, the Point Village Hotel and Mossel Bay Tourism), the local police and the traffic department, Life Care, the provincial ambulance services, and all the medical volunteers and marshals, time keepers, braaiers, and commentators who helped make the day the success that it was - as well as Logo Studio, the Mossel Bay Business Finder, graphic artist Andries Dunn, Group Editors, Engen, and the community of Mossel Bay.

For his part, Marius van der Mescht thanked Plaas Botha of Le Peleton Cycling Club, the members of the Gromos Mountain Biking Club, M SEC Security, and the local Round Tablers and Rotarians - while John Crawley thanked Louique Financial Services, Mossel Bay Ford & Mazda, the Diaz Beach Hotel, and Steyn's Mica.

Results
Bomb the Hill results: 1. Glen Phillips (R5 000), 2. Matt Ardene ([R2 500), 3. Anton Pratt (R1 500), 4. Alex Duss (R1 000).
Cruise the Hill results: everyone! Awesome prizes where handed out through a lucky draw.

Grind the Metal Results:
Open: 1. Hans de Villiers, 2. Luke Goliath, 3. Kyle Solomon, 4. Donovan Ludwick. Juniors: 1. Brendon Pretorius, 2. Jake Blumenthal, 3. Quintin Mooiman, 4. James Marais. Groms: 1. Anthony Sheppard, 2. Teo Muhle, 3. Chad Louw, 4. Divan Stander. Game Skate - winner: James Marais

Criterium Results
Elite Race Men: 1. Wicus Boshoff (George), 2. Andre van Vuuren (Oudtshoorn), 3. Henri Meyer (Mossel Bay). Elite Race Ladies: 1. Hilzane Duitsjan (Herbertsdale), 2. Ina van Zyl (Mossel Bay), 3. Hanneke van Rooyen (Oudtshoorn). Masters: 1. Eugene Roux (Sedgefield), 2. Paul du Toit (Mossel Bay), 3. Cobus du Plessis (Mossel Bay).
Soap Box/ Kaskar Derby Results - winner: Luan du Toit


One of the half tube ramps that drew a lot of interest.
Photo: Clinton Theron

MORE PHOTOS HERE.