The iconic FNB Wines2Whales trilogy kicked off in dramatic fashion as Samantha Sanders and Alexis Skarda of team Efficient Infiniti Scott Shimano claimed the coveted Chardonnay crown. Crossing the finish line at Benguela Cove near Hermanus after three gruelling days of racing, the pair put on a masterclass of tactical brilliance, raw speed, and resilience.
Heading into the final sixty-three-kilometre stage from Oak Valley Estate—featuring eleven hundred metres of elevation gain—the stakes could not have been higher. A razor-thin margin of just under thirty seconds separated the top two Elite Women’s teams in the battle for the CIOVITA orange leader jerseys. Despite howling winds greeting riders at the start line, Sanders and Skarda immediately took the fight to their primary rivals, Torpado Kenda FSA (Katazina Sosna-Pinelė and Giorgia Marchet).
What followed was three days of drama condensed into a single morning. Fast early kilometres led to the Katpas descent, where a stick lodged into Marchet’s derailleur, threatening to end Torpado Kenda FSA’s charge. Shortly after, a navigational error by Sanders and Skarda near Beaumont Wines erased their advantage, bringing the leading duos back together at Water Point Two.
It was only near the forty-six-kilometre mark, along the climbs of Karwyderskraal Road, that Sanders and Skarda snapped the elastic for good. Pulling clear, they crossed the line over a minute ahead to seal both the stage win and the overall title. Torpado Kenda FSA claimed second, while Sarah Mare and Lilian Baber rounded out a composed third-place overall.
The Bigger Picture: Why This Victory Matters
While the thrill of high-stakes mountain biking makes for captivating sports journalism, the significance of the FNB Wines2Whales Chardonnay event extends far beyond the final podium standings.
A Milestone for Women’s Mountain Biking: By dedicating the entire first leg of the W2W trilogy exclusively to the Chardonnay category—focusing on women’s teams and mixed pairs—the event continues to elevate the platform for women’s professional cycling in South Africa. The race delivered some of the most competitive, tactically complex racing in the event’s history. Offering world-class women athletes their own dedicated spotlight, uninterrupted by male elite traffic, sets a benchmark for gender parity in stage-racing globally.
The Power of South Africa’s Cycling Economy & Eco-Tourism: Tracing a breathtaking route from Lourensford Wine Estate through the Elgin Valley to the coastal waters of Hermanus, W2W is a vital economic catalyst. Over twelve hundred riders, accompanied by support crews, families, and spectators, flood Western Cape coastal towns. From local wine estates like Benguela Cove and Genevieve MCC to boutique hospitality and trail maintenance crews, the event pump-primes the local economy while celebrating South Africa’s premier eco-tourism corridors.
The Essence of Gees: At its heart, Wines2Whales remains the “Race with GEES” (the Afrikaans spirit of camaraderie and joy). As riders crossed the finish line—weary, dust-covered, yet beaming—the event reaffirmed the unique social fabric of endurance sport. As the trilogy transitions into the Pinotage and Shiraz events, Sanders and Skarda have set a formidable tone for what is shaping up to be an unforgettable season.
