Hansa Powerade Drak Challenge Media Release

 No: drak0704

15 Feb 2007

"Third time Lucky" warning from Hank McGregor

Underberg – Hank McGregor has sounded an ominous message to his competitors ahead of the Hansa Powerade Drak Challenge on 24 and 25 February. “I have messed this race up twice now, and I am determined to get it right this year,” said the nuggety Durbanite.

McGregor is also quick to point out that the Hansa Powerade Drakensberg Challenge is one of only two major South African river marathon titles that he has never won -  the other being the Hansa Umkomaas marathon.

“It’s my top priority,” added McGregor, who has been relaxing after a taxing Dusi and Non-Stop Dusi campaign.

In 2005 McGregor was locked in a torrid duel with Ant Stott, when he made an error in the channels around Heaven-and-Hell rapid in the last few kilometres of the final stage and gave Stott the break he needed to race away to victory.

Last year McGregor was racing Len Jenkins until he capsized in he tricky Glenhaven rapid, allowing Jenkins to scuttle away to victory.

“It’s simply got to be a case of ‘Third Time Lucky’,” said a confident and relaxed McGregor.

McGregor is also passionate about retaining the four SA titles that he won last year, in a rare feat holding the river K1 and K2 titles in the same year as the ski S1 and S2 titles.

“Maybe some guys don’t think too much about them, but to me an SA title is special. It says that you are the best there is that year, and that makes it pretty special, and something that every paddler should aspire to win,” said McGregor.

The two errors that cost McGregor his chance of winning the Hansa Powerade Drakensberg Challenge titles in 2005 and 2006 were both made under pressure. Understandably McGregor is anxious to find out which of the top elite athletes have entered the event.

But true to form, many of them are playing their cards very close to their chests. Defending champ Len Jenkins won’t commit yet, but Ant Stott is committed to the national K4 crew that plans to qualify for the Olympics in 2008 at the key qualifying regatta in a few months time.

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

Action Photo

Dave Macleod/
Gameplan Media

Dave Macleod/
Gameplan Media