The race for the women’s title at The Unlimited Ozzie Gladwin this weekend has been turned on its head by the late inclusion of Olympic medallist Bridgitte Hartley, and the confirmation that Dusi pacesetter Robyn Kime will not be on the start line.
Hartley, who is nominated for the 2012 SPAR gsport Athlete of the Year award, put South African Sprint Kayaking on the map earlier this year at the London Olympic Games, when she brought home an Olympic Bronze medal in the K1 500m, Africa’s first Olympic medal in this discipline.
Before discovering her exceptional sprinting talent, Hartley’s love of paddling was first ignited on rivers.
“River paddling was my introduction to paddling and the reason that I wanted to train. I love the adventure of river paddling, and because it is so social. When I started sprinting seriously, I stopped paddling rivers.”
Taking a short break from the competitive international sprint circuit, Hartley is revelling in being able to get involved in the South African river racing scene. She raced the 2012 Hansa Fish in a K3 for the Corné Krige Charity, and more recently she raced the first day of the Lembethe Canoe Club Dam to Dam Race in a K1, and the 2012 Vaal Canoe Marathon in a K2 with Dusi Champ, Andy Birkett.
“The Hansa Fish was just so much fun. It made me want to take part in a few more river races! I was a bit nervous in the beginning, as I wasn’t sure how I would feel, if I would be unstable, but after making Keith Flyover I began to enjoy every rapid,” said Hartley.
“I also recently raced the first day of the Dam 2 Dam race which covers the river section of The Unlimited Ozzie Gladwin. I wanted to get an idea of how I would go in the rapids – I haven’t driven a K1 down a river in about six years!”
“It was great to be exposed to racing the top men on the recent Vaal Canoe Marathon with Andy Birkett. We were on the front bunch with the top guys for a while, and managed to finish sixth overall.”
Despite the fact that Ozzie Gladwin line-up will be missing Dusi Princess Robyn Kime, as well as talented youngsters Jordan Peek and Kerry Shuter, the 2012 ladies field still looks set to provide nail biting racing – especially with Hartley ready to throw her hat into the ring with the likes of Abby Adie, Hilary Pitchford and Bianca Haw.
“I’m not sure if racing is the right word, but because I am competitive of course I am going to give it my all. I haven’t been in a river boat in ages, so I don’t know how I’m going to doing, but I am not going to go easy – it’s not in my nature!”
“I think the biggest challenge is going to come from anyone who can run! So most likely Abby Adie and Hilary Pitchford. I have done a few 10km races since the Olympics, such as the Spar ladies which I ran for charity, so I don’t think my running is bad – I am just not sure how I am going to go with a boat on my shoulder! I plan on winging it and having fun.”
Top ladies title contender, Hilary Pitchford, welcomes the competition.
“It’s awesome that Bridgitte is coming to play on the river! Her (and Birkett’s) Vaal result is an indication of how incredibly talented and strong she is over a long distance as well. The Unlimited Ozzie Gladwin is going to be a hard race either way, it always is!”
All the action from the 2012 The Unlimited Ozzie Gladwin gets underway at 09h00 on Sunday 11 November and is preceded by the Guppy Race, for ages 4-12 years old, at 08h00. More information can be found at www.ozziegladwin.co.za
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