Ward back to defend Drak women’s crown
After an impressive victory in 2020, Jenna Ward has prioritised the defence of her N3TC Drak Challenge canoe marathon.
DEFENDING women’s champion Jenna Ward has cleared her diary in a bid to defend her N3TC Drak Challenge in partnership with FNB title, saying the two-day classic in the Southern Berg is a non-negotiable part of her annual canoeing plans.
The 27-year-old Durbanite, who scooper her maiden Drak title in 2018 and then won impressively last season, pointed out that the technical difficulty of the race meant that there was no room for error.
“It’s one of those races where you simply cannot afford to make a single mistake,” she said bluntly. “It is a technical river, so you have to focus on yourself and try not to make a mistake, because that can make or break your race.”
Ward believes that will count in her favour, having accumulated significant knowledge and experience over twelve years of racing the Drak Challenge.
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“I am hoping to rely on some of my past knowledge to get an upper hand on the river,” she said.
“The women’s race at the Drak is always hotly contested, and every year we see great quantity and quality to the women’s field. Women’s paddling in South Africa is so strong right now, and the Drak gets one of the strongest women’s fields of the year. There is also a lot of talent coming through the junior ranks,” she said.
Ward said she will be at the Drak start line fitter than normal, particularly as she is working towards a strong MyLife Dusi challenge three weeks after the Drak.
“There will be no excuse for me not being at my fittest as I will be training flat out! I love the challenge of the Drak and it is one of my favourite races on the calendar,” said the Team Euro Steel star. “It comes at a good time for my Dusi training,” she pointed out. “It’s not too close to the Dusi, but close enough to allow you to judge how all the other women are doing. There is no portaging in the Drak so it gives my legs a bit of time to recover from the Dusi training,” she added.
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