Birkett and Solms bask in Drak Challenge glory
Record victories for Andy Birkett and Abby Solms.
THE record books of the N3TC Drak Challenge in partnership with FNB were re-written on Sunday as Andy Birkett recorded his sixth consecutive title while Abby Solms continued her dominance of the Southern Drakensberg classic by winning an unprecedented eighth Drak crown.
The two races couldn’t have been more different with Birkett having the privilege of a two minute buffer going into Sunday’s final stage while Solms and her team mate Jenna Ward were separated by just a few seconds.
In the end it was the class of Birkett that shone through and he cruised home to a five minute victory. With his win, Birkett is now the most successful male paddler at the Drak Challenge equalling Ant Stott’s mark of six titles.
“I don’t do this for the records, I come to Underberg to have a jol. I have said it in the past but this is definitely my favourite race on the calendar, no matter what the conditions are. Today I was a little worried about the water level and I had to be careful about every rock that I went over.”
The ladies race was wide open going into the final stage on Sunday with four women with a realistic shot at winning the title, however Solms was lurking just a few seconds behind Ward and the pressure was on the defending champion.
Despite not being at her best, Solms showed her class and experience in the technical sections to pip Ward right at the death in an exciting end-sprint.
“It was very difficult for me, usually I feel a lot more comfortable,” the eight-time champion said. “Even the flat sections were low so the girls couldn’t pull away from me so I pulled on the front of the bunch and I knew that it would be more difficult for them on my wave. Bridgitte (Hartley) came past with a big bunch but I didn’t get worried. I think the key for me was just focusing on my own race and enjoying myself.”
Durban North’s Christie Mackenzie was the strongest U23 lady, and finished fourth in the ladies race overall.
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