            |
 |
Inaugural SARLA / eLan Challenge
The inaugural multi-disciplinary SARLA / eLan Challenge took place last weekend (16 and 17 May 08) featuring a friendly competitive fishing comp, mountain bike race, golf challenge and cook-off between members of the South African Rugby Legends and their titles sponsors, eLan Group executives.
"There was a wonderful atmosphere and plans for next years challenge are all ready underway," says SARLA's John Allan.
The event was held over two days and incorporated challenges that both teams weren't accustomed to. The purpose of the exercise was to grow relations between the title sponsor, eLan Group and the Rugby Legends and not forgetting to have fun.
The fishing expedition left early on Friday morning in glorious Durban weather. They went out on the catamaran, Spirit of eLan with high hopes of catching the big one but it was not the case. One of the fishermen could only muster raising a bucket from the calm seas. Bites were few and far between, and the competitors were only able to catch small Wolff Herrings and Salad Fish. For the SARLA team, they were lucky enough to catch a fish that was marginally bigger than the eLan's lucky catch.
Mountain biking through the forested terrain on the Blythedale resort was fantastic for a short course. 15km's was covered by the cyclists with Peter Cameron, an eLan cyclist, managed to do double the distance as he took a few wrong turns and discovered new tracks through the forest. Cycling enthusiast, Dylan Jackson won the event hands-down but the Legends managed to win the team event.
Simbithi golf course local, Greg Taylor, walked away with a convincing victory in the golf challenge, leaving behind him Legends John Allan, Andre Snyman, Peter Edmonds and Chad Alcock. Alcock joking suggested that he be replaced next year as golf was not his strong point and even attempted the line that the clubs were not up to scratch.
The most exciting event for all was the cook-off which got burly rugby players into the kitchen. Concerns that they wouldn't all fit in the kitchen area were voiced but they managed quite comfortably. The rules for the cook-off were they were presented a dish and had to decide what to make in five minutes. Then they had to enter the kitchen and create their decided dish. The eLan team went first conjuring up a masterpiece called Thai Try Chicken; this had the SARLA team worried. The rugby players were then presented a Dorado steak and a handful of prawns. Quickly deciding on the dish they stormed into the kitchen, confidence oozing. The team was lead by Pieter Muller who fortunately has owned a restaurant so knew his way around the kitchen.
Entertainment was organised by Deon Kayser who battled to turn the gas cooker on asking on-lookers for a lighter. As they say, soon they were 'cooking with gas' and Wayne Fyvie under orders from Muller along with talented chefs, Andile Nyembezi and Kayser created a dish that managed to win the hearts of the judges.
"They did well for big teddy bears!" smiled Executive Chef for Riverside, Hayley Smith as she tasted the meal the eLan Rugby Legends presented proudly named Hot Shark Bite. "Overall the colours and presentation of the dish were good!" The prize giving was held with both, CEO of eLan Group; Mark Taylor and Former Springbok and Scottish Legend; John Allan congratulating everyone on a successful event that over flowed with enthusiasm.
Worst Fisherman: Peter Taylor
Best Fisherman: Conan Sharman
Worst Cyclist: Peter Cameron
Best Cyclist: Dylan Jackson
Worst Golfer: John Kruger
Best Golfer: Greg Taylor
Worst Cook: Deon Kayser
Best Cook: Pieter Muller
Overall team: SARLA: Won the fishing, team cycling and the cook-off.
The weekend activities were signed off when both teams headed off to the ABSA stadium to enjoy the successful game for the home side against the Waikato Chiefs.