Day Four
report and photos from Windhoek Berg River canoe marathon.
Velddrif- Hank McGregor powering into the canoeing history record
books by winning his seventh title in the Windhoek Berg River
Canoe marathon, edging past the record of six wins that he had
shared with Robbie Herreveld, while Robyn Kime dominated the
ladies race over the four days, finishing over an hour ahead of
nearest rival, Donna Winter.
McGregor blasted into the finish at Velddrif victorious, without
another boat in sight.
“I am really happy. My dad was here for my first win, and now he
was here for my seventh. It’s a really special moment.” said the
champion.
Second placed King praised McGregor saying, “Hank deserves it. He
is a true professional. No one can match his skill, racing
mentality, and experience.” Heinrich Schloms raced a skilled and
consistent race over the last four days, to finish in third
overall.
After a disastrous first day, when he got stuck in a tree block,
first under 21, Pierre-Andre Rabie had something to prove. Rabie
will be a face to watch in the future, outsprinting King to
finish the 4th and final stage of the 2010 Windhoek Berg River
Marathon, in second place, fifth overall.
Another face to watch is that of Marc Holtzhausen, who completed
his first Berg in 14th overall, smashing this personal record
this year, to finish an impressive fourth in a quality field.
The start of the 56.5km fourth and final stage of the Windhoek
Berg River Canoe marathon saw the top paddlers setting off in the
third of the batch starts at Zoutkloof at 8:30am. The first
competitors put their boats in the just as the sun was beginning
to make its appearance on the wintery Cape morning, and if
paddlers were lucky, the ice was melting off the seats of their
boats.
Racing off the start line, McGregor, Lance King, Heinrich
Schloms, Pierre-Andre Rabie and Marc Holtzhausen quickly formed a
bunch and raced together until Kersefontein. It looked to
spectators as though Lance King was on his way to winning the
final Bridge prize of the Berg, when, from around the corner
raced a determined McGregor, sprinting ahead in a showing of raw
power to snatch it from King . McGregor has only missed one
Bridge prize in this year’s race.
At Oordraplek, the final view point for the day, it was a bunch
of five that appeared over the horizon. For the past two years
when the water levels have been exceptionally high, competitors
have been able to paddle through the portage.
However this year, it was a 500m dash through the mud, which saw
Hank McGregor pull a 20m lead by the put in. By the time the rest
of the bunch had climbed into their boats, McGregor was already
100m ahead and pulling further away.
“I broke away at the portage with 40 minutes to go. I wanted to
show everyone that I was here for the win” said a jubilant
McGregor.
In the ladies race, Robyn Kime raced in a league of her own for
the entire four days of paddling, finishing over an hour ahead of
the second placed Donna Winter, with Robyn Henderson a further 15
minutes behind in third.
Kime, who at 20 years of age has a lot of Bergs’ ahead of her
finished 19th on today’s final stage of the Berg, and 23rd
overall. “I had a great race, with no mistakes other than one
swim, and I could have been fitter! ” said the ladies champion.
“I was very happy to finish in the top 20 today. My goal is to
finish in the top twenty overall one day” she added.
Riaan Manser, better known for his paddle around Madagascar and
cycle around Africa, completed his first Windhoek Berg Canoe
Marathon in just over 23 hours.
“The Berg is a special race where everyone, no matter where they
are in the field, goes through the same things over the four days
of paddling. I’ll definitely be back.” said a tired but happy
Manser.
The only competitor to complete the 2010 Freedom Challenge, Keith
Little, finished the paddling leg of this epic journey in a
respectable time of 24 hours and 15 minutes.
Mark von Bentheim, the Marketing manager for Windhoek South
Africa, felt the event was a success saying; “The Berg is a great
fit for our brand. It definitely fits the adventure lifestyle
that Windhoek supports and represents.”
Next year see the running of the 50th Annual Berg Canoe Marathon.
Be there and be part of the toughest canoe race in South Africa.
For more information please visit www.windhoekberg.co.za.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS
BERG RIVER CANOE MARATHON DAY 4
(STAGE TIME) OVERALL RACE TIMES
MEN
1. Hank McGregor (4:03.09) 16:04.32
2. Lance King (4:05.31) 16:10.50
3. Heinrich Schloms (4:05.34) 16:13.04
4. Marc Holtzhausen (4:05.40) 16:31.28
5. Pierre- Andre Rabie (4:05.31) 16:34.06
6. Edgar Boehm Jnr (4:17.00) 16:48.34
7. Alasdair Glass (4:17.00) 16:58.44
8. Chris De Waal (4:17.00) 17:00.10
9. Paul Marais (4:17.01) 17:03.38
10. Greg van Heerden (4:20.18) 17:13.12
11. Louw van Riet (4:20.08) 17:16.32
12. Ryno Armodorf (4:20.02) 17:16.38
13. Lance Kime (4:20.17) 17:27.41
14. Roy Clegg (4:21.16) 17:29.10
15. Adrian Bam (4:24.53) 17:32.52
16. Rob Hart (4:24.52) 17:41.24
17. Gregory Smith (4:26.40) 17:41.43
18. Joe Kearney (4:21.14) 17:47.49
19. Anton Cartwright (4:26.33) 17:50.48
20. Joseph Williams (4:21.22) 17:52.13 (First U18)
WOMEN
1. Robyn Kime (4:26.13) 17:57.15
2. Donna Winter (4:51.30) 19:09.22
3. Robyn Henderson (4:54.03) 19:24.06
4. Jemma Hofmeyr (4:56.59) 19:36.51
5. Romy Findlay(5:18.06) 21:17.10
ENDS
