Lovemore and Maher wrap up Berg victory
The Durbanites never relinquished their grip over the front bunch in the race and were deserved victors.
HAMISH Lovemore and Tyron Maher closed out victory in the Berg River Canoe Marathon by winning the final stage of the four-day race, with 19 year old Lovemore becoming the youngest winner of the 58 year old race.
The Durbanites never relinquished their grip over the front bunch that included the pairing of Simon van Gysen and Paul Marais, who wrapped up the second place, and a gutsy charge for the team of Alan Houston and Stew Little which vaulted them from fourth place onto the podium.
Maher and Lovemore, who was battling with stomach problems on the final stage, managed the pace at the front of the race well, initially breaking away with Houston and Little, but they were then content to let Simon Van Gysen and Paul Marais rejoin the front bunch for the final sector into the fishing town of Velddrif.
“We were a little nervous coming into the race,” admitted Maher. “We are relieved and excited to have won a race of this stature. The last three years of paddling with the MacSquad in Durban have been awesome and coach Lee McGregor has helped take my paddling to a whole new level,” he added.
Lovemore, who was thrilled to have his brother and family members arrive in time to witness the final day of the race, said that they had enjoyed the added excitement of the race for last step on the podium.
“Stew (Little) is my room mate and they spoke to us before the race about trying to make it onto the podium, and they got it,” he said.
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