About Conrad Stoltz

They call me “The Caveman”

I am: 6ft 3, weigh 180lbs, 36 years old. Professional triathlete for the past 19 years. “I am an African.”

I am also: Two time Olympian, three time XTERRA World Champion,(off road triathlon) 5 time All Africa Triathlon Champion and 5 time South African Triathlon Champion. I have won the legendary Chicago Triathlon in 2001.

I spend: 6 months in the USA racing, 3 months in Stellenbosch training, 3 months in Mpumalanga farming with my parents. I raced 6 seasons for French clubs Montpellier and Cahors in the mid 90s and this is my 10th year racing mostly in the US where I’m based out of Bend, Oregon. (But have been traveling so much lately, I’ve been living out of a bag or car)

I speak: Afrikaans, English, French and a smattering of Northern Sotho, German and American.

Great moments:

Breaking away on the bike at the Sydney Olympics in front of 300 000 spectators, and running in 2nd place till the last few kms. Winning XTERRA Worlds by 10 minutes as a rookie in 2001. And winning my 3rd XTERRA World title in 2007 after a heavy almost career ending crash in 2006.

Low lights: There has been a good number, but here is the hit parade: While leading comfortably I suffered 5 punctures at 2003 Xterra Worlds, at 2004 Xterra Worlds I smashed my pedal on a rock, and at 2004 Olympics my seat post broke early in the bike. In 2006 I broke my back and wrist in 7 places in a bad crash the day before Nationals. At 2008 Worlds I had  a flat while leading by nearly 3 minutes. Almost cut my foot off in the James river- but still won the race! Gory story (and pics) here.

Bionic wrist

The infection almost won. “it will make you a man, my son”  “If” by Rudyard Kipling

Food: I strive to eat 8 potatoes a day. Vegetables for breakfast and lots of red meat is my trademark. Here is my mantra about food: “If it swims in the ocean,  runs around on feet or hooves,  grows on a tree or can be dug from the ground - its probably good for you” “If food comes from a factory, it probably is not good for you”

Self admitted coffee snob. Think infatuation. An Athens Olympics highlight was my encounter and subsequent love affair with the real Greek “Café Fredo”. Served in a short glass: two shots sweet espresso, swimming amongst ice cubes, topped with an equal amount real whipped cream, tastefully decorated with a few coffee beans. Refreshing stuff.

A carefully crafted Stellenbosch cappuccino

I like: Unspoilt nature. Unspoilt people.

I dislike: Being deported.

Regrets: Not training with a coach earlier. The first 7 years of my pro career I was either over trained, or injured, or both. A sad waste of talent and time. Now, armed with 2 decades of experience, (and a great coach- Ian Rodger out of Cape Town) I enjoy mentoring young athletes.

Influential people:

- Fresh out of high school, South African triathlon ace Kevin Richards took me to France for my first taste of international racing, and a rendez vous with the surreal life of an athlete racing his guts out every weekend to pay for food and rent.

- My parents, who brought me up right: The hard working way, the honest way. Thanks for letting me suffer when I needed it most.

Oh, yes, and thanks for the genes… (Mountain biking with my dad Gert on his cattle farm, Roodewalshoek- near Lydenburg, South Africa)

I am proud: “Stoltz” is a German name and it means “proud”. I am proud to be a South African. I’m am proud to be part of our rapidly changing, highly exciting new country. I am proud to be described as “humble”, “nice” and “down to earth”. I am proud to have an Avia running shoe that I helped design and has my name one it. I’m proud to have made a decent living from a fringe sport. (Although for many years it was very much hand to mouth!) I am proud of Ryk Neetling, Roland Schoeman, Geniel de Villiers, Nelson Mandela, Gary Player, Ernie Els, Charlize Theron, Ester Mahlangu, Greg Minnaar and yes, even the Great Whites in False Bay.

Avia AVI STOLTZ- the XTERRA version of the Michael Jordan shoe…

Hobbies:

• Ride dirt bikes.
• Black and white photography.
• Fly fishing.
• “Working” on my website. Not making $ from it yet, which is why its under “Hobbies”
• Property investment and development.
• Camping on the banks of a mountain stream in Oregon. Or Chile or Zimbabwe. Fly fishing the stream. Running and mountain biking in surrounding nature.
• Relaxing and “working on my skills” during off season on my parents farm in Africa.

When I’m done with pro triathlon I will:

• Stay active and feel what it feels like to participate for fun.
• Develop my much neglected properties- or “pension fund.”
• Ride dirt bikes with my dad.
• Stay involved with my sponsors and help with R&D of new product.

Tire testing with Specialized and Frank Stacey.

Dream for the future:

Help get XTERRA (or off road triathlon) to the Olympics. And then win it!- What?! 42 is the perfect age! Dutch triathlon legend Rob Barel went to the Sydney Olympics at 41…