An exhausted Robyn Kime fought off stiff competition from a resurgent Abby Adie to win the Best 4 Healthcare 50 Miler.
“I was finished in the final few kays,” said Kime, who defending the K1 title she won in 2010.
“I thought I was used to wind after training in Stellenbosch, but I have never paddled into a headwind like that!”
Adie was left to play catch-up after being dropped in the bunch racing on Inanda dam, and had to gamble big to try and close down a one and a half minute deficit by Tops Needle Rapid.
Eventually she opted to shoot the notorious Island rapid, which Kime had portaged, and suddenly the race for the women’s title came alive.
Adie joined a five-boat bunch that gradually homed in on Kime, and finished tantalisingly close to the solitary race leader.
Adie was gracious in defeat, and hinted that the women’s race for The Unlimited Dusi in February was going to be highly competitive.
Gauteng ace Jen Theron wrapped up the last place on the women’s podium from Hilary Pitchford.
Best 4 Healthcare 50 Miler Canoe Marathon Summary of Results Women 1.Robyn Kime (U23) 5.12:39, 2.48:44 2.Abby Adie (U23) 5.12:53, 2.48:57 3.Jen Theron 5.24:39, 2.53:36 4.Hilary Pitchford 5:27:51, 2.54:26 5.Brittany Petersen (U18) 5.37:29, 3.02:28 U23 Women 1.Robyn Kime (U23) 5.12:39, 2.48:44 2.Abby Adie (U23) 5.12:53, 2.48:57 3.Brittany Petersen (U18) 5.37:29, 3.02:28 Junior Girls 1.Brittany Petersen 5.37:29, 3.02:28 2.Jordan Peek 5.41:23, 3.03:21 3.Bianca Haw (U16) 5.56:41, 3.12:56
(0 rating, 0 votes, rated)
Loading...
