PADDLING enthusiast, Jenna Ward, hopes a two-week rest in Thailand will help her performance during the 2017 N3TC Drak Challenge canoe marathon on 21 and 22 January.
Despite her current down time just weeks before the 2017 Drak, Jenna is confident that her end-of-year break will enable her to compete at her best rather than hamper her podium hopes. “I’m always looking to be competitive and never enter a race not wanting to win,” said Jenna. “I think aiming to win might be unrealistic but, being my first year as a senior, I’ll definitely try my best to get onto the podium.”
The steep, technical rapids of day one are complemented with flatter pools on Sunday’s second stage, and it will give participants a balance of all river paddling elements. “Drak is such a great race and is definitely my favourite race on the calendar. It has such great rapids, clean water and it’s held in an amazing part of the country. I definitely prefer day one to day two as I absolutely love the upper sections of the gorge and I do enough flat water racing during the rest of the year so, for me, the Drak is all about the rapids,” said an excited Jenna.
Her affinity for the race has seen her earn two fifth places and a third in 2013, 2014 and 2015 respectively, to go with her 2016 runner-up title.
While seeking to maintain a balance between being realistic and her natural determination and competitive nature, she anticipates going up against Bridgitte Hartley for a place on the podium. “Abby is just unstoppable at the moment and I’ll definitely be trying my best to keep as close to her as possible. It will also be interesting to see how Bridgitte goes in the bigger water and rapids.”
