ANDY Birkett paddled to a runaway victory in the 2020 N3TC Drak Challenge in partnership with FNB and in the process became the sole holder of the record for the most number of titles in the Underberg classic.
Going into the 27th edition of the two day 75km race on the Mzimkhulu River, Birkett shared the record for the most number of wins with Ant Stott, with six titles each.
He started the tough 38 kilometre final stage from Swartberg Road bridge to Hopewell Farm with a two minute lead over Hank McGregor, and in a juggernaut performance the Euro Steel racer more than doubled his lead before he arrived at the finish of the race. McGregor said his solitary race, with Birkett out of sight and several minutes clear of the chasing U23 speedster Hamish Lovemore, allowed him to focus on maintaining his own pace throughout the day.
Lovemore wrapped up third ahead of the dogged Stew Little, with Khumbulani Nzimande posting the second fastest time of the final stage to leap-frog up to fifth overall.
The women’s race title fell to Jenna Ward for the second time, as she raced a tactically astute race to protect her first stage lead and avoid any exhaustion or technical mistakes on the long final stage. Dusi champ Christie Mackenzie mirrored Hank McGregor’s race and paced herself well to wrap up her best Drak result.
Behind her however the race’s most notable performance came from Bridgitte Hartley. Leaving everything out on the water she posted the fastest time in the women’s race on the final stage by five minutes to blitz onto the podium and claim third from Tamika Haw.
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