THE KZN Department of Sport and Recreation backed Elite Athlete Development Programme, produced stellar results at the first major river canoe marathon of 2018 when their athletes, Andy Birkett and Jenna Ward, won their respective titles at the N3TC Drak Challenge recently.
The 2018 event was unprecedented in terms of water levels with the uMzimkulu’s level being the lowest it has ever been in the 25 years that the race has taken place.
Ward, who finished third twice and second once in the previous three editions of the Drak Challenge, finally broke her duck when she dominated the second and final day to take the win over a chasing Robyn Owen.
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Coming home in third in the ladies race was fellow EADP athletes Bridgitte Hartley while the young Christie Mackenzie, who was the first U23 lady, finished in fourth.
The men’s race produced just as impressive results with Andy Birkett taking home is fifth Drak title in a row. He equalled Ant Stott’s record of five wins.
Finishing behind him was the ever-green Hank McGregor who was just over three minutes behind Birkett. Coming home in sixth overall, at a race he doesn’t see as his strength, was Sbonelo Khwela.
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