Hansa Powerade Drak Challenge Media Release

 No: drak0702

13 Feb 2007

Alexa Lombard ruled out of Hansa Powerade Drak Challenge

Underberg – Alexa Lombard has been ruled out of the Hansa Powerade Drakensberg Challenge canoe marathon on 24 and 25 February by her injured shoulder.

Lombard partially dislocated her shoulder in an accident at Commercial Road weir during the Hansa Powerade Dusi, and struggled on for a further hour before she was forced to abandon her race.

A disappointed Lombard said she had been eagerly looking forward to the Drak Challenge as it was her favourite race.

“It is the best race we have got!” enthused Lombard. “It has the big water, and the flats, and it’s really beautiful. I had my air tickets all booked and I was really looking forward to the race.”

Lombard has however been frustrated by the seriousness of the shoulder injury that she picked up on the Dusi.

“I was hoping that a few days rest would help, but it is more serious than I thought. I am going for thorough scans, but it is clear that it will be while, which has sadly ended my hopes of doing the Drak,” she added.

Lombard and her Cape Town clubmate Abbey Miedema have been the dominant women in the Hansa Powerade Drak women’s race in recent years. Carol Joyce will be out to defend the title she won last year, after Miedema’s race ended with a broken paddle at Glenhaven rapid non the final stage.

The Hansa Powerade Drakensberg Challenge will host the SA K1 River Championships in Underberg on 24 and 25 February. Entries close on 17 February. The race website is at www.canoesa.org.za/DrakChallenge  

ENDS

Dave Macleod/
Gameplan Media