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Dusi guts hampers top
paddlers preparations for Hansa Powerade Drakensberg Challenge
Underberg - Several elite
canoeists’ preparations for the Hansa Powerade Drakensberg Challenge at the
end of the month are being hampered by ongoing after effects of the
notorious “Dusi Guts” picked up during the three day Dusi marathon.
Hank McGregor and Jacques Theron are amongst those that are still struggling
to get over the effects of the crippling stomach complaints picked up from
the dirty water in the Umsindusi and Umgeni rivers.
“I would love to do the Drak - it’s one of my favourite races - but I am
still battling with "Dusi Guts",” said McGregor. “I still had it when we
raced the Umkomaas Marathon two weeks later, and I am still really weak now,
despite two courses of antibiotics.”
McGregor, like many others, fell prey to the gastric problems from the dirty
Dusi water shortly after the three day race. “I really want to try and win
the Drak, because I have had my fair share of bad luck in this race over the
last three years. Especially with the river being so full and clean, I want
to be able to say that I will be there.”
Theron, who was runner-up last year and has been a perennial star performer
on the Umzimkulu, is also a doubtful starter. He was an early victim of the
“Dusi Guts” and first fell ill two week before the big race in January. “I
am still not right,” admitted the Gauteng star. “This might be my last
chance for a serious challenge because I have other priorities in the year
ahead, but I am still flat from my “Dusi Guts” problems,” he said.
Surveys conducted shortly after the Hansa Powerade Dusi showed at just less
than 50% of the participants in the race experienced stomach ailments from
the polluted water. Since the race survey was completed, more paddlers have
gone down with similar ailments triggered by bacteria ingested during the
race.
“Fortunately the Umzimkulu in Underberg is very clean, to the point that
canoeists happily drink the water straight out of the river,” said Canyon
Canoe Club chairperson Patrick Reid.
Entries have been pouring into the race office in Underberg, with the
eventual entry likely to top 1000 canoeists, particularly with the news that
the steady rainfall in the Southern Drakensberg has left the Umzimkulu at a
superb racing level.
While the Dusi problems have left several top class paddlers as doubtful
starters, most of the top river racers have indicated their intentions of
being on the startline at Castleburn bridge on Saturday 23 February.
Five times winner Ant Stott returns to the race after a two year lay-off
caused by his pursuit of a place at the Beijing Olympics with the national
K4, and will start as a popular favourite to bag a sixth Drak title.
Defending women’s champ Abbey Miedema will also be there, while her Dusi
partner and chief K1 rival Alexa Lombard has also indicated that she would
like to be there as well.
Normal entries close at 6pm on Thursday 14 February. The race website is at
www.drak.co.za
ENDS
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