| Ref:drak0606 |
Hansa Powerade Drakensberg Challenge 2006 - Jenkins, Joyce wins |
| 26 February 2006 |
Embargo: None, immediate release |
| Written by: | Dave Macleod |
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Underberg - Len Jenkins scooped his second
Hansa Powerade Drakensberg Challenge title on Sunday after his fascinating
duel with Hank McGregor ended with a dramatic accident in the biggest rapid
on the course. McGregor and Jenkins finished the first stage together, and wereneck-and-neck when they approached the massive rapid at Glenhaven. Jenkins managed to negotiate the rapid successfully, but McGregor hit a submerged rock and capsized, hurting his left leg in the subsequent swim. Jenkins took full advantage of the opportunity, and raced away to win by a comfortable four minute margin, from Brett Bartho, a further two minutes back. "It was a classic race," said McGregor. "We were pushing really hard. Someone was going to make a mistake, and it just happened to be me", he said. Shaun Bigg's race effectively ended when he broke a paddle at the substantial Tokolosh rapid at the start of the Underberg Gorge, when he was chasing hard in third place. He struggled on through the big rapids of the Gorge paddling with his hands, until he was able to get a spare paddle, and finished 44th overall. Fifteen year old Johannesburg star Grant van der Walt completed his upset win in the junior category, finishing tenth overall, and four minutes ahead of established Maritzburg College star Cam Schoeman. Stephen Bird was another of the day's casualties on the full Umzimkulu river, and he fell back to finished third junior home. Carol Joyce took the women's title in style, after her nearest challenger Abbey Miedema was sidelined by a broken paddle at Glenhaven rapid. Miedema had reeled in a minute of Joyce's ninety second overnight lead, when she broke her paddle. 'That's river racing, and that's why we do it", said a philosophical Miedema afterwards. "Hats off to Carol, she raced really well." Lorna Oliver was rewarded for her consistency with second place, and Danica Vorster snatched the last place on the podium. Gary Clarke and Ross Poacher were the first K2 crew home, with Lance and Sue Chapman winning the mixed doubles race. The tough conditions took a heavy toll on the field, particularly on the 28km first stage, where 68 craft were destroyed by the rocks in the demanding Valley of a Thousand rapids, roughly ten percent of the record field. SUMMARY OF RESULTS 1.Len Jenkins 3:35:23 2.Hank McGregor 3:39:50 3.Brett Bartho 3:41:41 4.Mike Harris 3:44.29 5.Barry Lewin 3:45:50 6.Mark Mulder 3:46:03 7.Piers Cruikshanks 3:46:35 8.Russell Willis 3:46:52 9.Sven Bruss 3:48:54 10.Grant van der Walt 3:49:58 Women 1.Carol Joyce 4:13:57 2.Lorna Oliver 4:19:24 3.Danica Vorster 4:21:21 | |
| Photographs: | Photographer: |
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Len Jenkins powers throught Glenhaven rapid on the final stage of the Hansa Powerade Drakensberg Challenge. Pic : ActionPhoto |
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The defining moment of the 2006 Hansa Powerade Drakensberg Challenge. Hank McGregor hits a submerged rock and capsizes in Glenhaven rapid, allowing Len Jenkins to race away to win the title for a second time. Pic ActionPhoto |
| For more information, please contact: | |
| Dave Macleod, Gameplan Media | Tel (031) 764 3017 or dave@gameplanmedia.co.za |
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