Despite taking a swim at Finger Neck rapid (along with many A batch starters), Ant Stott swept to a good lead on day 1 having shaken off Andrew Birkett just after saddles.
On Day 2 everyone expected Stott to extend his lead on the techiical stretch of river on which he is known for being faster than anyone else. However Birkett reeled in more than a minute on Ngumeni portage and then passed Stott as he swam taking the tricky left line down Hippo rapid. Stott recovered to catch Birkett, and it came down to an end sprint. Ant Stott taking honours by half a second, with Mike Mbanjwa recovering after an eventful day 1 to finish 3rd.
The ladies race was rather less exciting with a field deprived of depth. Robyn Kime won it from Abby Adie, with not much competition behind them.
Interestingly, Len Jenkins did not start despite much speculation that he would be on the line after he entered the race. Is Len going to do the Dusi? His sprint squad commitments mean that he is not allowed to race. But will the carrot prove to much? We will see in Feb I suppose
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