Elite Navy diver to challenge French Champion for title in Oyster Festivals extreme event. (Knysna)

Organisers of the Land Rover Waterfront Rush, Magnetic South, have predicted that the reigning champion; French national Olivier Feuillette’s dominance over this event may come to an abrupt end as a host of explosive young extreme athletes descend on Knysna to challenge him for that title at the town’s annual extreme extravaganza..

The Land Rover Waterfront Rush hosted at the Knysna Quays Waterfront has become a feature of the town’s annual Pick & Pay Oyster Festival. Hailed as one of the few events in the world where spectators can actually get to see all the heart stopping action of an extreme adventure event, the Rush has gained international recognition. It is has been described as adventure sports answer to Cricket’s Pro 20 Series. Although the event itself runs over 3 days, the actual races only last around five minutes; it all cumulates in a crowd-pleasing knock out competition on the final Sunday of the festival.

Feuillette, who will be going for his third straight victory, faces challenges from a number of young hotshots at this years Rush as well as serious threats from his regular more experienced rivals. Among those expected to give Feuillette sleepless nights is a member of the South African Navy’s Elite diving unit; David Shilton.

Shilton caught the expert’s eye last year with his aggressive tactics and refusal to be intimidated by the more experienced campaigners. In tearing seasoned veteran Johnny Heatlie off the climbing wall in front of a shocked capacity crowd in the 2007 semi-finals, Shilton almost earned himself a place in the history books as the youngest man ever to make the last round. Despite the 10 meter fall, Heatlie’s cool head saw him prevail on that occasion but keeping the Knysna local out of the finals in front of a partisan home crowd will be a different proposition for Heatlie and Feuillette this year.

Another athlete expected to have the full backing of the vocal spectators is teenager Anastasia Capatenakis. As the only female competitor ever to make the cut she threw the proverbial cat amongst the pigeons with her male contemporaries at last year’s event. Her fiery temperament and unquestionable bravery endeared her to the crowd and there will be many who will stake out a prime position in front of the leader board at the Waterfront on Saturday afternoon to see if she can repeat the performance.

All entries: www.magneticsouth.net

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