Strong partner for defending champion Adie
Defending K2 champion Abby Adie has secured the services of classy Czech Republic star Anna Adamová, forming a formidable K2 combination that will post a strong challenge for the overall women's honours at the Hansa Fish River Canoe Marathon which takes place on 27 and 28 September.
FILE PICTURE: Abby Adie. Picture: Anthony Grote / Gallo Images
Established river racing star Adie is eager the defend the K2 title that she won with partner Hilary Pitchford two years ago and to add to two previous visits to the Hansa Fish women’s podiums. For Adamová, paddling with Adie is a dream come true.
“We agreed to paddle together two months ago after Abby (Adie) initiated the forming of our combination,” explained an excited Adamová from the Czech Republic. “I wouldn’t dare ask her to be my partner because she is one of the most experienced and I conversely,” she chuckled.
Despite being far more comfortable on flatwater, Adamová is no stranger to South African rivers, having spent some time in the country in 2012 and earlier this year where she competed in the 2012 Fish, 2013 Dusi and 2013 Non Stop Dusi, whilst also having been ruled out of the 2013 Drak due to the flooded river.
This year’s Fish will however be a far greater test than any of her previous assignments as she, together with Adie, gears up to be a serious women’s title contender while also enjoying her time on another South African river. “I raced at last year’s Fish Marathon and when I left South Africa in March this year I was already planning to return for the Fish,” said Adamová.
“Last year’s Fish was my first big experience of white water with rapids and weirs and even though training was difficult for me, the race was perfect and i really enjoyed it. “It’s a tough to know what sort of result to aim for this year,”she added.
Adie, having hung up her paddles for four months after this year’s Umkomaas River Marathon, is relishing being back in the boat and looking forward to working with Adamová during the Eastern Cape clash in a little over a week’s time.
“I’ve just come back from a bit of a break from paddling so it’s taken me a little while but I’m happy with where I am now,” said Adie. With the likes of Olympic bronze medallist Bridgette Hartley and South African female paddling star Robyn Kime, surfski aces Michelle Burn and Danica Bartho and now Adie and Adamová all eager to claim this year’s Hansa Fish spoils, the women’s encounter is shaping to be a mouth-watering affair.
– Sapa
