British carbon-framed bike brand Dassi has announced that the London-based Olympian and two time South African National Champion, Gill Sanders, has been selected as the sixth and final member of the Dassi Elite Women’s Triathlon Team.
Sanders joins Vanessa Raw, Georgie Rutherford, Dana Voysey, Charlotte Hanson and Clare Cunningham on the Dassi roster.
Dassi, who offer fully-customised carbon framed bikes, launched the Dassi Elite Women’s Triathlon Team at the Tri Show earlier this year. The goal is to provide its elite women with professional support internationally.
Sanders – currently preparing for the World Triathlon Series in Cape Town this weekend – was selected from over 30 top age-grouper and pro triathlete applicants who submitted their CVs after an online recruitment campaign.
On her inclusion, Sanders said: “I was delighted to be selected for the Dassi Elite Women’s Triathlon Team. The support provided, both on and off the bike, will make the world of difference to me as a professional triathlete. It’s great for a British brand to be giving back to the sport like Stuart and Dassi are.”
RAINBOW WARRIOR
Sanders grew up in South Africa where the influence from a sport-orientated family saw her compete in her first triathlon at the age of nine. Just four years later she was competing in her first World Triathlon Championships and she continued to represent her country through her teens until putting sporting aspirations on hold to pursue a law degree.
In 2010 and Gillian decided to put her legal career on hold and try her hand as a full time professional triathlete. Less than two years later she had been crowned African Champion as well as South African National Champion before going on to represent her country at the 2012 London Olympics.
On representing South Africa at the ITU World Series’ first visit to Africa, Sanders added: “It's massive not only for South Africa but for Africa as a continent as it’s the first time a tri event of such scale has been held on African soil. Hopefully Cape Town will create lots of awareness and excitement to get more African youngsters involved.”
We’ll be putting Dassi’s tri-bike to the test in issue 300 of 220 (out on 27 May). For now, head to www.dassi.com
Image: Janos Schmidt
