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Hansa Powerade Drak
Challenge Media Release |
No:
drak0909 |
20
Feb 2009 |
"Bridesmaid" Hank McGregor hungry for Drakensberg
Challenge victory
Underberg – Hank McGregor has added his name
to the entry list for the weekend’s Drakensberg Challenge canoe marathon,
saying he is desperate to end his run of second places finishes in the
demanding two day race in the mountains.
The prestigious title is one of the very few to has eluded McGregor in a
career that has seen him win virtually every major river marathon and ski
title on the calendar.
“I don’t race any race to come second, and I have done that three times
now,” said McGregor. “It’s a major race and I’d love to win it. I just have
to make sure that I stay in my boat this time!”
McGregor’s thrilling dice with Len Jenkins in 2006 ended in a massive swim
down the nasty Glenhaven rapid in a very full river. In 2005 he lost to Ant
Stott when he made a mistake at Heaven and hell rapid and ramped himself
onto the rocks in the closing stages of the race.
In 2007 he was the best local paddler in a race won by German ace Max Hoff.
Perhaps McGregor’s best result was as a junior in the inaugural race in 1994
when he was part of the minority of the field that made it to the finish in
one piece and took the junior crown with a sixteenth place overall.
“That year was ridiculous!” recalls McGregor. “Having said that, I have done
the race when it was low, and for a heavy guy like me it is very tough. I
hear that there is good rain forecast for Thursday and Friday, so if there
is good water, you can count me in!”
McGregor has however tipped his training partner Grant van der Walt to win
the title. “He is going so well, and doesn’t have to worry about recovering
from the Dusi like other top paddlers,” said McGregor.
“I reckon no one will touch him this year. I will be there to try and make
up the numbers,” he added. “I will be very surprised if anyone is able to
beat him in the form he is in at the moment.”
The Drakensberg Challenge takes place in
Underberg on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 February. More information can be
found at
www.drak.co.za
ENDS
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Caption |
Photographer |
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Hansa Powerade Drak Challenge 2009 Logo |
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Hank McGregor has entered the Drakensberg
Challenge at the eleventh hour after seeing weather forecasts predicting
good rains. He is anxious to end his hat-trick of second places in the
famous race. |
Dave Macleod/
Gameplan Media |
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This swim in Glenhaven rapid cost Hank
McGregor his chance at the 2006 Drakensberg Challenge title. "I have to
stay in my boat this year," he vowed after lodging his late entry. |
Dave Macleod/
Gameplan Media |
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For any further information, or if you
cannot access the images, please contact:
Gameplan Media
(031) 764 3017
info@gamplanmedia.co.za |
