Underberg - Visiting German WildWater ace Max Hoff, turned the Hansa Powerade Drakensberg Challenge canoe marathon in its head, by winning the first stage, in dramatic fashion.
 

Hoff, using a borrowed boat and paddling for the first time on a low and technically demanding Umzimkulu river reached the finish of the first stage at Callaway bridge with a sensational three minute lead, Soweto Canoe Club star Jacques Theron was second with a despondent  Hank McGregor who surrendered his lead when he capsized, right behind Theron.

Max Hoff’s German wildwater teammate Florian Wohlers was fourth, four minutes behind his compatriot with Gauteng teenager Grant Van Der Walt providing a further surprise by finishing fifth.

“It was such a cool race,” said an enthusiastic Max Hoff after the stage win. Hoff and three fellow internationals were on a training camp in Port Edward when they heard about the race.

“Sure it would have been more fun if there was more water,” said Hoff. ”But I really enjoyed the paddle and racing hard with the other guys.”

McGregor was the early race leader before a mishap cost him his lead, allowing Hoff to get to the front of the race.

McGregor was caught by Theron and his chasing bunch close to the finish after they had all successfully negotiated Glenhaven rapid, fur kilometres from the overnight stop.

With help from Shaun Rubenstein they borrowed kayaks, one of them from Graeme Pope-Ellis, and purchased kayaks off the shelf from Popes in Pietermaritzburg, and arrived in Underberg without having paddled their race craft at all, and without any experience on the rocky Umzimkulu river.

Dusi Queen Abbey Miedema paddled flawlessly in the tricky low river conditions, to earn a massive seven minute lead overnight and in the process she took a big step towards wrapping up her third consecutive SA K1 title.

Laura Thompson was second despite battling with a holed kayak, thirty seconds ahead of Hilary Pitchford, Epworth school girl Robin Kime and Gauteng paddler Kirsty Van der Merwe.

The short sharp final stage from Callaway to Early Mists farm looks set to be run on equally demanding river conditions, McGregor and Theron are almost certain to work together to try and catch the German race leader “ the second stage is very short just 18km,” said McGregor so I’m not sure if I’m able to catch him, he paddled very well today.”

The final stage starts at 7am and the winner is expected at the finish on the first Coleford road shortly before 8:30.

Summary of results

1.Max Hoff (Ger) 1:47.29

2.Jacques Theron (Sow) 1:50.20

3.Hank McGregor (Dra) 1:50.23

4.Florian Wohlers (Ger) 1:51.34

5.Grant Van Der Walt  (Dab )1:50.10

6.Jasper Mocke (US) 1:53.54

7.Piers Cruickshanks (Dab) 1:53.57

8.Michael Mbanjwa (Erk) 1:53.59

9.Darryl Bartho (Kin) 1:54.25

10.Shaun Griffin (Ukn) 1:56.24

11.Michael Stewart (Erk) 1:57.17

12.Martin Dreyer (Whr) 1:57.20

13.Brett Bartho (Ukn) 1:57.40

14.Jonathan Niemann (Sow 1:57.41

15.Matthew Cullen (Mar) 1:57.52

16.Alex Roberts (Dab) 1:58.11

17.Mark Mulder (Kin) 1:58.47

18.Marco Magni (Dab) 1:58.54

19.Craig Willment (Can) 1:59.40

20.Doug Bird (mms) 1:59.43

Woman

1.Abbey Miedema (whr) 1:59.47
2.Laura Thompson (nat) 2:06.59
3.Hilary Pitchford (Ukn) 2:07.22
4.Robin Kime (Epw) 2:07.25
5.Kirsty Van Der Merwe (Ghr) 2:07.28

Junior Boys

1.Grant Van Der Walt (Dab) 1:53.10

2.Matthew Callum (Mar) 1:57:52

3.James Dillon (Mic) 1:59.54

4.David Firth (Mic) 1:59.54

5.Ben Biggs (Nat) 2:01.34