Regular K2 paddling partners Abby Adie and Hilary Pitchford will be forced to temporarily put aside any allegiance they may have when they square off against one another in the battle for the women’s title at The Unlimited Ozzie Gladwin Canoe Marathon this weekend.
Not only have the pair enjoyed immense success in local waters having previously won the event itself as well as the Hansa Fish River Canoe Marathon, Umkomaas River Canoe Marathon and most recently Dam to Dam together, the duo have reigned victorious internationally as well having powered to a comfortable victory in the Avon Descent in Australia earlier in the year.
All this will however count for very little coming into this weekend’s affair as each of them look to build on their recent performances in an attempt to kick start their build-up campaign towards next year’s iconic The Unlimited Dusi Canoe Marathon.
Having enjoyed a lengthy career already, Pitchford (Team Pope’s/Matelec) boasts an impressive list of achievements including the title of 2011 ICF Canoe Marathon World Series champion.
Her younger compatriot, regarded as one of the leading female competitors at any event she tackles, is however somewhat overdue a flurry of consistent success and Adie (Team Best 4 Kayak Centre) will undoubtedly be eyeing this weekend’s event as a golden opportunity to gain some good momentum ahead of this crucial pre-Dusi phase.
“I’m definitely looking for a win this weekend,” said Adie. “Dusi is probably a little too far away from Ozzie for it to be a really important build-up race for Dusi but it’s a great season starter and it will be good to try see who has been training and who hasn’t.”
“There is also some great prize money up for grabs which is always a nice little added incentive,” she chuckled.
As far as the intensity of the battle goes Adie is under no illusions and fully expects Pitchford to be as competitive as ever throughout the 26km duel.
“Hilary is incredibly competitive,” noted Adie. “I can be too though.”
“Even when Hilary and I were in the same team at Dam to Dam a couple of weekends ago without really realising it at the time we would often find ourselves racing each other to try be the first one into a rapid, or if one got ahead on the flats then we would continue to push the pace instead of waiting for the other to catch up.”
“I’m sure we’ll both be looking to try out smart the other throughout the race and I’m sure that competitive nature will be there again this weekend,” she added.
Adie does however come into the encounter with good confidence after a string of good performances on the river in recent weeks as well as victory in the team of two category with Jean Hackland at last weekend’s Triple Challenge.
“I’ve done Triple Challenge for the last couple of years but usually in a team of three where I just did the paddle leg so this year was something a little different and it was nice because it forced me to get some good running training in,” said Adie.
“I didn’t do quite as much running as I should have coming into it but it was probably a good thing because it just helped remind me how much needs to be done before Dusi,” she added.
Despite this confidence there will be no room to hide this weekend as the young Team Best 4 Kayak Centre athlete won’t only need to overcome the determined efforts of Pitchford in order to make the title her own but will need to stay ahead of a talented group of juniors as well.
“Hilary’s paddling is always incredibly strong and she’s running really well at the moment too. Hopefully I’ll be able to get away from her on the run though, or if it comes down to an end sprint then I would probably back myself because I’ve done it against her in the past,” said Adie.
“It won’t be easy though, and if I don’t manage to get away on the run then she’s so good in the rapids, and her lines are brilliant, so it will be really tough to stay with her.”
“The juniors are also really strong at the moment. At the NCC Development race recently, Brittany Petersen looked very strong and Hilary and I made one or two mistakes and we even said afterwards that we won’t be able to make those mistakes in Dusi because the youngsters are right there these days and will make you pay for your mistakes.”
“It’s great to see so many competitive girls on the water these days though. The more competitive the group is the better for everyone because it really forces you to up your game,” she added.
All the action from the 2012 The Unlimited Ozzie Gladwin gets underway at 09h00 on Sunday November 11 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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