No: Berg1014

16 July 2010

Day Three report and photos from Windhoek Berg River canoe marathon.

History set to repeat itself at the Windhoek Berg River Canoe Marathon

Zoutkloof - At the end of three days of tough racing on the Windhoek Berg River canoe marathon, defending champions Hank McGregor and Robyn Kime look set to paddle victorious ,once again, into Velddrif, after tactically astute third stage performances.

After securing a four minute lead in yesterday’s stage Hank McGregor executed a champions strategy, working alongside a group of four top paddlers, to smash the stage record by a massive five minutes.

The furiously fast paced front bunch included local Cape paddlers Lance King, who retained his second place overall, and Heinrich Schloms, as well as fellow Durbanite Marc Holtzhausen.

Holtzhausen’s phenomenal performance today saw him move up from yesterdays 6th position to 4th overall, nudging out Pierre-Andre Rabie.

“I had a great day!”, enthused Holtzhausen. “It was a great feeling to be on the front bunch. I am really happy with how today went.”

Sure to add a boost to an already phenomenal three days of paddling from McGregor, was the arrival of Hanks dad, and former national paddler Lee McGregor, who drove from Knysna to support his son.

“My dad and I have raced this race together in the past. There is a lot of family history on the Berg and it is very special to have him here,” said Hank McGregor.

Barring a disaster, McGregor will paddle into Velddrif tomorrow afternoon to claim his record 7th Berg title. “It’s a great honour to be leading the Berg for the 7th time, and I am going to enjoy my day on the river tomorrow. What a privilege. ” said McGregor humbly.

Overall ladies leader, Robyn Kime, increased her lead to 46 minutes over second placed Donna Winter, and moved from 27th position overall to 25th. “I had a perfect day. After three good days of paddling, I’m quite tired and sore though,” said Kime.

At the start of today’s stage, well known solo adventurer ,Riaan Manser, was very positive. “I’m looking forward to today. I hear it is long and flat, which is more my style that the rapids!”

On the adventure front, the only person still in the Freedom Challenge, which includes a trail run from Durban to Pietermaritzburg, a cycle from Pietermaritzburg to Cape Town, and paddling the annual Berg River Canoe Marathon, is Pietermaritzburg local Keith Little. Although Little has been struggling with a nasty bug since last night, he is soldiering on and looking forward to tomorrows finish.

Tomorrow’s final stage of the Berg, will see paddlers taking on the 56.5kms from Zoutkloof to Velddrif. For more information please visit www.windhoekberg.co.za.

Day 3 Overall Results
Men
1. Hank McGregor 12:01.23
2. Lance King 12:05.19
3. Heinrich Schloms 12:07.30
4. Marc Holtzhausen 12:25.47
5. Pierre- Andre Rabie 12:28.35
6. Edgar Boehm Jnr 12:31.33
7. Alasdair Glass 12:41.44
8. Chris De Waal 12:43.09
9. Paul Marais 12:46.37
10. Greg van Heerden 12:52.53

Women
1. Robyn Kime 13:31.01
2. Donna Winter 14:17.52
3. Robyn Henderson 14:30.02

ENDS