Dream come true for Sabina

AS the South African team prepare for the ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships in Brandenberg, Germany, one athlete can’t wait for her chance to represent her country. Danville Park Girls’ High School Grade 11 pupil, Sabina Lawrie will be teaming up with Christie Mackenzie for the Junior Girls K2 18 event. It’s a dream come true says Lawrie who has come a long way in her paddling.

The 17-year-old recently participated at the SA Canoe Marathon Champs in Cape Town and placed third in the U18 K1 (singles). She also secured top spot in the K2 (doubles) with Mackenzie came first, cementing a spot in the South African team.

“This is my first South African call-up and I’m so excited. Three years ago I took part in my first South African champs and I came last, so this year was absolutely amazing. It’s probably my best performance. I have no doubt the world champs are going to be extremely tough but Christia and I have formed a good bond together. We’ve worked extremely hard and practiced as hard as we could. I’m so excited for the world champs and cannot wait for Germany,” she said.

Lawrie, who is also part of the MACSquad (Lee McGregor’s squad) will join U23 and with two world championship K1 bronze medals to her name she will be hoping that she can turn that into silver or gold.

Kyeta Purchase, who was a revelation at the 2015 World Champs, returns to partner Ward in a young K2 that mixed it up with the best at the 2015 showpiece and will be hoping to emulate that performance again this year. Purchase will also be paddling in the Under 18 category in a K1 along with Christie Mackenzie while the latter will team up with Sabine Lawrie for the Junior Girls K2 event.