A 32-year-old chief stewardess on a superyacht, formerly from Stellenbosch, has overcome various obstacles, including battling Covid-19 to emerge as the “Ironlady of Pringle Bay”.
This comes after Carla Annas completed a gruelling ironman event, which was entirely organised by friends and family to make up for the cancellation of the Durban Ironman event that she originally planned to enter.
Along the way, she battled personal stumbling blocks, focused on her health and showed determination to reach her goal.
Annas grew up in Stellenbosch, attended Stellenbosch Waldorf School and studied law and graduated with an LLB from Stellenbosch University in 2012. She has been working on yachts since 2013 and is currently chief stewardess on a 65 m motor yacht.
“In November last year, I decided to do the Durban Ironman 70.3,” said Annas in an interview with Eikestadnuus. “It has always been a vague dream of mine; at that point, I just made the decision that now was as good a time as ever.
“At the end of January, while sailing in the Caribbean, I tested positive for Covid-19 and was very sick for two weeks. It took me another three weeks to fully recover from the lingering symptoms.”
Unsure of how to get back into training for the event and battling with her heart rate, she found a coach in Stellenbosch, who conducted sessions with her virtually.
She started by walking for 20 minutes in late February and returned to South Africa mid-March, immediately seeing a top Covid-19 physician in Stellenbosch.
Tests conducted showed Annas was suffering from mild long Covid-19, despite her showing. This immediately placed her chances of competing in the Ironman challenge on Sunday 5 June in danger.
“More blood tests would be conducted after a month, which would show if I could train for the race in Durban,” she recalled. “Until the end of April, I trained at a very low heart rate, but was then luckily cleared by the doctor.”
With only six weeks of training at full capacity, Annas knuckled down and embarked on two training sessions most days. “I was prepared as much as I could be,” she said.
When organisers announced the Durban race had been cancelled due to the floods, the dedicated athlete remained focused and continued with her training.
“I had committed myself to a goal and I wanted to achieve it,” she said. “I had set my mind on completing a race and I decided I would do it, even if I could not do the one I wanted. When the Durban race was cancelled, I knew there would be others, and I would still be able to achieve my goal, even if not at the time I had imagined.”
Annas initial reaction was disappointment and frustration, but these feelings were shortlived.
“Before the end of the day, the idea to organise our own race was formed and the ball got rolling very quickly,” she said. “Everyone was enthusiastic and supportive with the idea. My sister, Fran Denton, was the main organiser and her husband, Matthew, the base coordinator and the kayak support during the swim.”
The race was scheduled for the same date as the Durban event and they rented a house in Pringle Bay, which was also used as the race and transition base. Supporters were also welcomed for refreshments throughout the day.
Annas was overwhelmed by the support she received before and during her race.
“This is what made the day for me. My family all trained with me at different stages. On race day, there were at least 20 people on the beach where I started my race. Throughout the bike and run, my friends and family were always there.
“There were about 40 people at the finish line. My sister drove behind me throughout the bike and running leg, others stopped along the road to cheer me on.”
She was surprised by friends and family who just showed up to support her. “It was so motivating. One friend swim with me and two ran with me. They were a huge factor in terms of encouraging me and being there for me.”
The race comprised a 1,9 km swim at Pringle Bay Main Beach, a 90,1 km from Pringle Bay to Gordon’s Bay back to Pringle Bay and then to Kogelberg Nature Reserve and back to Pringle Bay, and a 21,1 km run past Hangklip Hotel in Pringle Bay.
In the end, Annas completed her first “Ironman” in seven hours and 18 minutes, overcome with feelings of disbelief and overwhelming joy. She has since been hailed by her supporters as the “Ironlady of Pringle Bay”.
Asked what advice she would give to others thinking of a tackling a similar challenge, Annas replied: “No matter what obstacles are put in your path, be willing to be flexible and find a creative solution to getting over the obstacles.”
Annas remains committed to completing an official Ironman Challenge in future. “I am not sure yet, but I have a few ideas currently forming that I’m hoping to expand on in the next few weeks. I’d be happy to share those once I have a clearer path . . .”
