Drak Challenge 2011... Thank you Rain!

Hank McGregor leads Len Jenkins into Glenhaven rapid. The finish was the same at Early Mists farm

This years Global Trader Drak Challenge proved to be among the most competitive ever.
With almost a thousand paddlers entered, the elite field was packed with big names.  It was indeed a high class field lined up above Castleburn bridge with the water at an ideal level for racing. Day 1 ended with the triumvirate of SA river canoeing locked together- McGregor, Stott, Jenkins.  It been a while since these 3 have raced each other head to head in K1's and the wait was worth it. Day 2 saw Ant Stott fall off the pace after a swim in a pool between rapids thanks to a misplaced paddle stroke. Jenkins and MacGregor then raced neck and neck through Glenhaven, the long flats, and the lower gorge to arrive at the finish together.

Surprisingly, Hank McGregor held off Len Jenkins in the sprint despite the fact that the latter has come off a year of sprint training while McGregor has done long distance events like Avon and Berg. Well done Hank. 

The ladies race was also a tussle. Robyn Kime was leading after day 1.  She was then overtaken whilst swimming in the Underberg gorge in the early stages of day 2 by Abby Adie  who did enough to hold off her rival and take the ladies title. In doing so she also became the 1st recipient of the Margie Oliver Memorial Trophy. Michele Eder used her power on the flats to haul herself into 3rd after being way back after day 1.

The Unlimited Dusi looks like being a cracker this year. A little over 3 weeks to go...

Proteas wrap up series... World cup questions to be answered

Patriotism in castle corner during the anthems at the Kingsmead ODI

Well done to the Proteas for their ODI series win against India. However performances were inconsistent and provide cause for concern with the World Cup around the corner.
Batting collapses a plenty, plenty of apparently brainless cricket and a very fragile lower batting order were all too often very obvious.
The World Cup is being played on the subcontinent, bringing the Imran Tahir selection issue into clear debate. In my opinion, he must play and the rest of the bowling attack should consist of Steyn, Morkel, Botha, Kallis (praying he's fit to bowl) and the part time offies of Duminy and perhaps Du Plessis' leggies if required.
That would leave Smith, Amla, Kallis, De Villiers, Duminy, van Wyk and Du Plessis or Ingram as the batting line up.
In my opinion, a much more balanced team than any of the XI's that played India.
The crucial ingredient... Jacques Kallis must be fit to bowl, which puts Johan botha where he belongs at no. 8.

Zee Germans are here!

Alex, Anne-Kathrin, Erik and Cindy at the track

Stuart has been asked to help out with a squad of 4 Elite German Hurdlers who are here training in Durban under coach Jan May.
Among the athletes is Alexander John, who finsihed 8th at the European Champs in the 110m hurdles last year.

Alexander John in National colours

The girls in action at Kings Park
Anne-Kathrin Elbe above

These guys and girls are FAST!
and sunburnt :) Doubt they've ever seen sun like a Durban summer day.

Cindy Roleder flies out of the blocks

Dusi indeed... 1st day out tripping

Well the summer rains have been around for a while, and there is finally some water in the Dusi.
Snuck off for a quick bit of tripping with Dusi legend Ant Stott. He showed me all his sneaky lines on Day 2... but I'm sworn to secrecy!

picture: Ant under the heat of the midday sun after packing the car. Umgeni is in the background.

Dusi Racing season begins!

With the changes to the river racing calender, the new year now marks the real start of the Dusi racing season!
With races every weekend till the Unlimied Dusi, which starts on 17 Feb, paddlers are sure to be heading into the valley of a thousand hills in their droves.
Len Jenkins is back in the river this season and looks good for an assult on the title he last won in 2001 (Yes it has been that long!)  He will be racing the likes of Ant Stott and Hank MacGregor in a season that should have lots of the big guns firing on the Dusi again for the 1st time in quite a few years. A top 5 will be real achievement this year.
The hyacinth in the Umgeni and the ever present Blue Lagoon crocs will remain talking points until both "problems" are sorted out.
Hope the water is clean :)