ADG Vaal River Race crowns champions in spectacular sprint finish
The ADG Vaal River Marathon closed out with a lavish lunch and prize giving for the paddlers at Umfula Lodge where participants and their families enjoyed the amenities and celebrated their successes.
ADG Vaal River Race unfolded along the scenic Vaal River. It marked the closest competition in recent history during the conclusion of the ADG Vaal River Canoe Marathon held on November 18 and 19.
Three boats engaged in a fierce battle, navigating 70km of paddling along the Vaal River. The intense race reached its climax with a thrilling sprint finish at the enchanting Umfula Lodge. It was former race winner Clint Cook (Team Euro Steel) who took the title, with his young partner Luke Salmon, both of Dabulamanzi Canoe Club.
Only three seconds behind them in the overall were Siseko Ntondini and his partner Benjamin Mntonintshi (SCARC). Wayne Jacobs (Euro Steel) and Rob Crichton rounded out the podium.
Cook said, “It was tough and honest racing but we thoroughly enjoyed it. I’m glad that we had the four boats initially to work with and when it was down to three boats we worked together to the finish and left it all out there in the sprint.”
Cook praised his young partner for his sterling effort to ensure their victory.
The ladies’ race was the opposite of the men’s with Christy Mackenzie and Emma Hatfield dominating from the beginning. They stamped their authority early on and were not challenged by the chasing boats.
“It’s a long day out,” commented Mackenzie, also a former Vaal River winner, “but such a great race, and so worth doing.”
Race organisers, the helpers and everyone involved in the event were highly praised by the paddlers who relished the opportunity to be racing on the Vaal and participating in the oldest multi-day stage race in the country.
Race director Elandrie Zietsman expressed joy that it all came together for the paddlers, along with ideal weather, and that they enjoyed the experience.
“We are thrilled and really happy to have this prestigious race back on the calendar as an iconic race in the country. We had the top paddlers as well as those training for the Dusi, along with novices to the sport, which means we reached the greater community. It’s these events which bring us all together as a unified group,” said Zietsman.
Gregg Mandy of African Digital Group (ADG) completed the race in a K3 and added, “It was tough but that’s reflective of the resilience of South Africans. This is a mirror of our company values in that we aim to find solutions for our clients under tough circumstances. It’s for these reasons that sponsoring this great event is such a pleasure.”
The ADG Vaal River Marathon closed out with a lavish lunch and prize giving for the paddlers at Umfula Lodge where participants and their families enjoyed the amenities and celebrated their successes. This bodes well for a record entry next year and continued growth for the event and sport.
