Cricket World Cup... what's that?

Here's a little something I wrote on the 7th of Feb..."And for the 1st time in a few tournaments, I would not rank Australia among the favourites.  A Gary Kirsten lead Indian team along with the unorthodoxy and variety of the Sri Lankans get my vote for final contention."
Man do I wish I'd put a few bob on that prediction!
Still not too sure how much I'm going to be able to watch the game on saturday.  Like many Protea supporters, I've had it up to my neck with yet another wimpering knock out game performance and can't really put up with watching the final knowing that the boys in green are kicking themselves because it is them that should be there facing the Indians. Altogether now... Cough, choke, I mean... agg shame!
So instead I am very happy to take up an invitation to watch the Sharks/ Stormers game on saturday afternoon.  Let's hope the Shark tank delivers a thriller (as long as the team in black wins)
There will always be another World Cup, and another one after that...

Athlete update

A bit of a personal update for a change...
I'm very grumpy about the Proteas implosion at the Cricket World Cup, am buoyant about the Sharks Chaces in the Super 15 and am not exactly sure how committed I am to Comrades training.
It has been really enjoyable to head down to Blue Lagoon for the odd leisurely paddle without feeling the need to thrash it around on the water for hours and hours every week.  The monster of "that fun run" on 29 May hangs very close overhead though. Only 10 weeks of specific training means time is very short, and although a period of rest would be very welcome, the need for mileage means it will have to wait till June.
On the athlete front, I was most disappointed for Ant Stott on Dusi.  He just doesn't seem to have luck on his side this season. A silly swim must have cost him energy on day 2, the day where he is known to make the break. The catalogue of near misses has to end soon for Ant.  Andy Birkett did really well to be with Ant as they came in to Durban and must get credit for having upped his game and outsprinted a World Marathon Champ to win.
Comrades runner, Prodigal Kumalo is flying!  Having won several major events in the last few months, some common sense has prevailed resulting in less pressure from sponsors and Prodigal is now able to focus on Comrades.  Without the need to continually race to please his backers, his training is going very well.  If he performs at Comrades, everyone should get what they are looking for... hopefully that means a top 5 for PK.
New Chirosport athlete Bridgitte Hartley is in the midst of preparations for an Olympic qualification year doing loads of basework and technique as well as working on her biomechanics (that's where I come in...) to help sharpen her up for the racing season which is fast approaching.
The German hurdling squad that were in Durbs during January for a training camp have completed their indoor season and are similarly looking at London 2012 qualification in the summer season ahead.
Haven't heard from beijing Gold medallist Abhinav Bindra for a while.  I was originally scheduled to be heading to India to work with AB in early April, however competitions schedules have put plans on hold for a while.
That's it for now... gotta head into the gym if I am gonna get it done before the grindstone calls again.

Proteas... now is the time

Indeed, now IS THE TIME for Graeme Smith's Proteas to stand up and be counted.
3 wins will mean a World Cup to bring home, and it really is all up to the squad if they want it.  On paper, the boys in green and gold have more than a good chance, they have a great opportunity.
If the right team is selected for each game, we can beat any team we come up against.  However home advantage may strengthen the resolve of Sri Lanka (likely semi opponents) and India (possibly in the final)
As a cricket fan who has watched the Aussies dominate for 15 years, their loss to India confirms their downward spiral. I don't think Ponting will be captain for too much longer.
For us, Kallis and Smith need to find form, and the rest can just keep going as they have until now. Steyn, Morkel, and Tahir can win us the trophy if the batsmen get enough runs.
Good luck boys, we'll be behind you all the way.

Umko done... paddling season done, Now for Comrades (eeek!)

The Stihl Hansa Umkomaas has brought the curtain down on this years competitive river canoeing season in KZN.  Hank McGregor and Brandon van der Walt streaked away to a win, and were the only boat amongst the top 5 to survive a very knarly no. 1 rapid.

Andrew Neal and Stuart Clifton in No. 1... we made it :)

Andy Birkett rounded off his awesome season to finish 2nd with Jason Graham in the back while ex-sprinter Dave Hamilton-Brown and Murray Burgess finished in 3rd.  Shaun Griffin and Mark Mulder came from 6th on day 1 up to 4th at the finish while defending champs Theron and Cruickshanks had an incident filled race to 5th.
With the river at 1,5m Number 1 rapid was at its most difficult level and caused major damage to the boat of Deon Bruss and Ant Stott, who continued on with the aid of duct tape to finish 29th.
The tricky 1,5m level on day 2 did its fair share of damage to boats all through the field, with enough water for big waves and strong flow, but still plenty of rocks in play.
Andrew Neal and I fell victim to a rock in the rapid known as 4 and a half.  Hitting one rock was enough to do damage that forced us to join the likes of Bruss and Stott in having to patch up in order to finish. In fact, we arrived at Josephines bridge in 30th, just behind the race favourites.
The Umko is a river that certainly deserves huge respect. 
Things happen really quickly on the mighty Umko.  For us, from having a shout at a top 10, a rock we couldn't see till it was too late, and then we spent 20 mins on the bank.  For Deon and Ant, no.1 did their chances in.  Many others have similar stories to tell.  Most of all, Tim Platt and Deborah Dick who had abandoned their boat, heard news that the boat was seen floating near no.8.  They got a lift back to the river, found where the boat was, taped it up, climbed in and paddled to Josephines to finish day 2 in 7 and a half hours. Respect!
A mighty river, a mighty load of FUN!

Goodbye paddles... Hello running shoes!
It's only 10 weeks away now, but I'm going to have a go at getting ready for Comrades.

Hansa Stihl Umkomaas... the last hurrah

This weekend its UMKO!  The last big race of the river paddling season.  If you don't paddle, that means a bunch of crazy South Africans paddling canoes originally designed for flat water, down some really big rapids.  To give you an idea, the only rapid on Dusi that compares to Umko is portaged by 95% of Dusi paddlers- Island 1 and 2.
More good news is that there should be some decent water in the river, which should have Umko die hards smiling after last years lowest race in history.

The much vaunted rapids, 5 and 6. Once 2 rapids, made into one really big two step thriller by the floods in 1987 (or so Rob davey tells me)... eeek

The race for victory is set between 3 crews. Ant Stott is riding shotgun behind river legend Deon Bruss.  Hank McGregor has teamed up with Brandon van fer Walt and certainly look like the fastest crew on the water.  Then there is the well established team from JHB of Jacque Theron and Piers Cruikshanks.  If water levels hold, the 3 will very likely be close together (if not in a group) after the day 1 section from Josephines to Riverside.  Then the big numbered rapids on day 2 should decide it.  It's all about no. 1-8!!!
Mishaps aside, the ladies should be taken by Hillary Pitchford and Abby Adie. In fact I don't think any other ladies K2 crews have been brave enough to enter.  That said, Claire Lindsay is a very brave lady indeed to have entered in a K1.  Some old river dogs are saying there might be lots of water... news came through of a big storm near Underberg on Thursday!  If the rain landed in the Polela, that means a big Umko over the weekend. 

Hopefully there aren't to many injuries or anything, cos I'm the medical officer.
Whatever happens rain wise, with the river at 1,6m and rising on fri morning, its going to be a white knuckled, adrenalin filled ride. 
Rob Davey and the organising committee from Kingfisher Canoe Club have made an awesome effort to bring back the spirit of the Umko.  Thanks Rob, Ernoe and team
Just hope there is enough water (but not too much... eeek!)

Cricket World Cup... when does it actually start?

Well if you're like me you must be wondering when this dithering tournament called the World Cup is actually going to start.  With up to a week between games for teams, its hardly been interesting so far.  Let's face it.  How many viewers are actually interested in games between the likes of Bangladesh, Canada, Zimbabwe, the Netherlands and Kenya?? Not many!  These 5 teams are clearly below standard compared to the others and generally make for uninteresting cricket.  In fact I have played in club teams that could beat them.
But finally, after 3 weeks of very little interest, the tournament should finally kick into gear as teams try to make sure of good log positions heading into the quater-finals.
Most teams will be trying to avoid India and Sri Lanka through the knockout phases, and also trying to avoid having to play on dodgy wickets. (like the one in Chennai- which thankfully is not hosting any knock out games)
One thing which has been good is the variety of types of wicket.  Far from the 'road' like wickets that were expected, there have been some turners, the odd bit of grass and only the odd 350+ wicket.
The Proteas play India this Saturday in a big game, however the most important results for our boys at this stage are beat both Ireland (15th Mar) and Bangladesh (19th Mar) comprehensively in the 2 games which follow.  Then we can't slip up as the knock out begins.
Go Proteas, we'll be watching every ball
Lets hope the tournament gets interesting soon

Unlimited Non-Stop Dusi Wrap

Well its over, thank goodness! Everyone is saying it was the toughest Non-stop Dusi ever.
Very little water made for a very tough day for all concerned, especially the heavier paddlers.
Mike Mbanjwa and Eric Zondi won as expected with Thomas Ngidi and Nhlanhla Cele in 2nd and Kwanda Mhlope and Richard Cele in 3rd. 5 out of 6 paddlers on the podium from Martin Dreyer's Change a Life academy - hardly surprising considering they completed most of the route on foot due to the low river conditions.  Man those guys can run! Mark Mulder did well to finish 4th overall in a K1, and must have had an easier day through the technical sections with his much shorter and more manoevureable single.

Stuart, flanked by super seconds Claire Mercer and Andrew Neal on Pine Trees portage just after sunrise

 Most crews were out there for at least an hour longer than expected with the slowest winning time in the 15 year history of the race.  Competitors at the front paddled/ ran passed the water releases twice during the race and were faced with water trickling down the Umgeni.  To add to this, the last 15 Km was strewn with hyacinth blocking the river, sapping energy and strength as boats fought their way to Durban through the weeds.  Stuart and partner Greg Carter-Brown had a good race, finishing up in a hard fought 10th place despite some boat admin caused by their heavy combined weight in the rock strewn river.

Greg Carter-Brown and Stu Clifton hauling out of "Devil's Cauldron" early in the race. As you can see, they really do run through bush in case you were wondering

Thanks to all seconds who fed and watered us all the way from PMB to Durban.
A hearty well done to EVERYONE who finished, or helped a friend finish.
The last paddlers to finish arrived at Blue Lagoon in just under 15 hours at 8:30pm
The Unlimited Non-Stop Dusi 2011 was tougher than Comrades 2010 for sure!







Unlimited Non-Stop Dusi 2011

Taking the Dusi back to its roots, The Unlimited Non-Stop Dusi is a straight race in a canoe from PMB to Blue Lagoon with virtually no rules.  Only 3 rules... 1) competitors must compete honourably and finish in the craft they start in. 2) must pass under College Rd bridge 3) must pass through 2 checkpoints at Finger Neck and Inanda Dam before cut-off times.  That's it!  Just like the days of Ian Player and Ernie Pearce. 

The only difference is it now takes the winners around 8 hours and the back markers around 14, where the original version took 6 days.  The presence of seconds able to get around on good roads, well known routes and modern equipment account for the time difference.

Greg and Stu finishing up their only pre-race session together

The entry list is not yet complete, but it looks like clear race favourites will be Mike Mbanjwa and Eric Zondi.  It was hoped that Ant Stott would be lining up in a K2, however a neck injury sustained while tripping the Umkomaas last weekend means there is no chance of Ant paddling.  Martin Dreyer's Change a Life academy will doubtless field a few strong combinations with running being such a big part of this race.

There has been some questions over what kind of water release can be expected on friday.  After chatting to race organisers, the release from Henley dam will probably be a bit lower than Dusi with 600 000 cubic metres promised.  This should mean a flow rate of 6-7cum/sec on the Dusi. Once through confluence paddlers will be in low water. The section from Marian Foley to the headwaters of Inanda will be technical as there will be very litle water flowing down the Umgeni and the Dusi water will be too little to fill the larger river.  Inanda dam release is also promised at 600 000 cubic metres which means an expected flow rate in the region of 15 cumecs, which is a little low for K2's and will make Burma an option for competitive crews.  Most paddlers will be praying for rain! I know I will.

Stuart will be teaming up with recently crowned KZN K1 River Champ, Greg Carter-Brown, for a crack at a top 10 position in this test of endurance.  Don't book any appointments on saturday! Stu is gonna need some rest after 125Km in a day