Local paddlers storm to victory at Fish marathon
Saskia Hockly and Christie Mackenzie led by six minutes to claim the Fish River Canoe Marathon title
UMHLANGA’S Christie Mackenzie and Mount Moreland paddler Saskia Hockly cruised to victory at this year’s Fish River Canoe Marathon on Saturday and in the process, claimed the South African K2 Championship title.
Hockly and Mackenzie led by six minutes to claim the title from Bridgitte Hartley and Serbian Krisztina Bedoc, with Jade Wilson and Nix Birkett third.
Hockly praised her partner’s skills over the two days of racing.
“Christie really knows exactly what she is doing. She knows all the lines and all the right channels, and sitting behind her is such a pleasure.”
In the men’s race, the Eastern Cape combination of Greg Louw and Andy Birkett won their third Fish River Canoe Marathon and in the process, claimed their second South African K2 Championship title.
The duo claimed the title with a deceptively large winning margin of 30 seconds over the all-world champion pairing of Hank McGregor and Frenchman Jeremy Candy, with overnight leaders Hamish Lovemore and Clint Cook finishing third.
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