Holidaying Ward hunts Drak Challenge podium
The Mt Edgecombe resident is hoping to improve her runner-up finish in 2017.
JENNA Ward will be hoping that two weeks in Thailand shortly before the 2017 N3TC Drak Challenge canoe marathon will help, more than hinder her performance at the two day contest that takes place on the uMzimkhulu River in the Southern Drakensberg on 21 and 22 January.
Despite her current down time coming just weeks before the 2017 Drak, Ward is confident that her end-of-year break will enable her to compete at her best rather than hamper her podium hopes as she steps up from the Under-23 to senior ranks.
“I’m always looking to be competitive and never enter a race not wanting to win. However, 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. Being in Thailand does mean my training takes a big knock but after a really busy 2016, the break I’m sure will do me well and will mean I’ll be able to start the new year fresh,” she adds.
The Drak Challenge is popular event for many, with Ward being no different.
“Drak is such a great race and is definitely my favourite race on the calendar. It has such great rapids, clean water and its 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.”
Ward’s 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 effort.
