Jenna Ward, who finished second in last year’s N3TC Drak Challenge in partnership with FNB, signalled her intentions of going one better in 2020 by winning the tough FastDrak race in tough, low water conditions.
The race covers the famous Drak course in one day, with two portages, and is a good indicator of form going into the main event on 1 and 2 February, with many athletes using it as key Dusi Canoe Marathon base training.
Ward was pleased with her showing on the low river, particularly as she has not been able to race the FastDrak in recent years.
“The water was a bit low for us, but it isn’t anything that we haven’t had to deal with the Drak Challenge in the last two years,” said Ward.
“I was happy to get down the full forty kilometres without getting out of my boat, which was my goal, and I had loads of fun doing that,” she said.
“The racing is so competitive amongst the women at the Drak that you can get rushed into making silly mistakes.” FastDrak race title holder, Jenna Ward.
She added that the race gave her a good opportunity to learn the lines down the many rapids ahead of the Drak Challenge.
“The racing is so competitive amongst the women at the Drak that you can get rushed into making silly mistakes, so it was good to be able to enjoy the river and the scenery and not make any mistakes in the rapids,” she said.
Ward looked refreshed and energised after a two month break after her world marathon championships campaign in October.
“I needed it both physically and mentally!” she stressed. “The Drak and Dusi moving later in the season allowed me to take that time off.
“I got back into full training in December. I hope the weather gods bless us with a full river this year, because I would really love to race the Drak from the top this time,” she said.
Tracey Oellerman took the runner-up berth ahead of the determined Epworth schoolgirl, Georgina Howard.
Summary of Results
FastDrak:
1.Jenna Ward 3:48:37
2.Tracey Oellerman 4:05:25
3.Georgina Howard 4:11:42
The N3TC Drak Challenge canoe marathon takes place in Underberg on 1 and 2 February 2020. More information can be found at www.drakadventure.co.za
Photo 1 Caption: After missing the FastDrak for several years, Jenna Ward claimed the women’s title, sounding a warning shot to the other women ahead of the N3TC Drak Challenge in partnership with FNB, on the first weekend on 1 and 2 February 2020. Photo: Anthony Grote/
Gameplan Media
With editing by gsport
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