The 16th edition of the Drakensberg Challenge canoe marathon gets under way in Underberg this weekend amidst much anticipation from the large field and speculation about the level of the Umzimkulu River following steady rains in the region.
The level of the river started rising after good rains fell on Thursday, continuing on Friday, with the weather forecast hinting at regular rain and thunderstorms throughout the weekend.
Dusi champ Ant Stott will start the race as the strong favourite to win an unprecedented sixth title in a race he labels as his favourite outing of the year. However, the popular 30 year old will have to keep the irrepressible Johannesburg teenager, Grant Van Der Walt, and the tenacious Hank McGregor at bay.
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A joker was thrown into the pack with the late entry of defending champion Len Jenkins, who has been conspicuous by his absence since running away with the title in low river conditions in 2008.
Add to this mix the class of Mike Arthur, Shaun Biggs, Jacques Theron, Piers Cruikshanks, Cape paddler Ernest van Riet and the Eastern Cape Louw brothers, Ryan and Greg, and the competition for the podium places will be very intense.
The womens race is sizing up to be even more absorbing, with a dozen female stars eager to take over the title vacated by the departure to Canada of Abbey Miedema.
Robyn Kime, Hillary Pitchford, Abi Adie and her twin sister Charlotte come into the race as the summers star performers and serious title contenders.
However, no less than three Olympians have added their names to the seeded womens batch, spearheaded by former champ Carol Joyce, Dubai Shamaal champ Michele Eray, and Beijing hero Jen Hodson.
Another former winner Alexa Cole, will also be on the startline and despite her protestations that she will be paddling socially as she is in the area preparing for the Sani2C mountain bike race the following weekend, she is always a ferocious competitor.
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