UIPM 2025 Biathle-Triathle World Championships: Sun shines for South Africa in Mixed Relays

In the midst of southern-hemisphere summer heat, Mossel Bay provided a sun-drenched stage as 16 thrilling Mixed Relay finals unfolded on Day 3 of the UIPM 2025 Biathle-Triathle World Championships.

Luckily for the home crowd on the tip of the African continent, South Africa teams were the headline story, taking gold in seven of the 11 bi-gender races, underscoring the strength of the host nation across age groups.

In the Senior Triathlete Mixed Relay, home favourites Tara Schwulst and Dylan Matthew Kruger combined speed and smooth transitions to clinch gold in 13min 36.20sec, over 50sec more than France duo Léa Fernandez and Mohamed-Kamis Mtir, who finished second (19:12.80).

The Junior Mixed Relay could not produce another memorable victory for the hosts as Mia Botha and Joshua Vorster crossed second, almost 2min behind a fantastic Great Britain team of Evelina Powell and Verner Krynauw who were far ahead with 19:33.30.

South Africa’s dominance returned in the penultimate race of the day in the Under-19 where Dune Haasbroek and Steffan Hillebrand (RSA) stormed to victory in 19:45.20, with Greece filling the silver-medal positions.

In the Masters 40–49 Mixed Relay the host nation again topped the podium: reigning champions Andrea Ranger and Tiaan Rossouw (RSA) retained their gold in a sub-17min time, ahead of the accomplished British pairing of Helen Wilkinson and David Barlow.

There was also a brief visit into the far future as two Egypt athletes won the individual under-9 races - Mohamed Nassar in the boys and Kinda Sror in the girls. 

Thursday 12 December is the final day of action at the Biathle-Triathle World Championships as all senior, junior and masters’ finals take place, before the Laser Run World Championships takes the spotlight.