ZULULAND paddler Bridgitte Hartley claimed the South African women’s senior K1 marathon canoeing title after convincingly beating fellow competitors Nikki Russell and Abby Solms in Pietermaritzburg.
Boyfriend Andy Birkett mirrored Bridgette’s success when grabbing his first senior title in a thrilling three-boat showdown with World Champions Hank McGregor and Jasper Mocké.
Hartley was dominant in her race with only Russell capable of staying with her.
But after falling off on a portage halfway through, Hartley went on to finish the race alone at the front.
‘I was really afraid of the distance as I have not done more than 14km during the past month, being committed to my sprint programme,’ said Hartley.
She will now have to wait and see if her sprint training around Olympic qualification and the test event in Rio de Janeiro clash with the timing of the world marathon championships.
‘At this stage I have asked the national selectors to treat me as a reserve for the national team, until I know what is happening.’
Birkett delivered a deadly end sprint that saw him come off the wave of McGregor and cross the line to a popular victory over the defending champion, who was always going to be suffering the effects of his return from the Molokai Challenge in Hawaii.
Results
Senior men – 1 Andy Birkett 2:13:35, 2 Hank McGregor 2:13:37 and 3 Jasper Mocké 2:1340.
Senior women – 1 Bridgitte Hartley 2:09:30, 2 Nikki Russell 2:10:54 and 3 Abby Solms 2:14:23.
