Ward Wins Berg River From Start to Finish

Ladies winner Jenna Ward (centre, Varsity College), second place Kirsten Penderis (right, AQ Rate) and third place Joritha Prins (left) made up the ladies' podium of the Berg River Canoe Marathon. Photo: John Hishin/Gameplan Media

2013 Berg River Canoe Marathon leader Jenna Ward maintained her overnight lead to secure the iconic  stage paddling endurace title in both the women’s and U23 competitions, when four days and 240km of paddling culminated in Velddrif on Saturday.

Ladies and U23 champ Jenna Ward (Varsity College) strides ahead on the 3km portage on day four of the Berg River Canoe Marathon. Photo: John Hishin/Gameplan MediaNerves and speculation were rife ahead of the final stage’s commencement as a last minute decision forced paddlers to take a 3km portage around a water hyacinth block shortly after the start of the stage, leaving most unsure of what to expect and how the action would unfold.

KZN under 23 talent Jenna Ward (Varsity College) has nervy final stage as she hung on to claim the women’s title ahead of Kirsten Penderis (AQ Rate) and Joritha Prins.

With nearly two minutes in the bag from her third stage efforts, Ward started the final day well with a remarkable performance on the 3km portage.

The young star was however made to pay for her efforts midway through the stage as she watched Penderis destroy her three and a half minute stage gap and had to work hard to stay with the Cape local in the dying stages of the race to hang onto victory.

Kirsten Penderis fought hard but hard to finally settle for second place in the women's race of the Berg River Canoe Marathon. Photo: John Hishin/Gameplan Media“Kirsten caught me at Drie Huisies and I knew I just had to give whatever I had left to stay with her and make sure she didn’t close the gap I got on her yesterday,” said Ward. “Fortunately I was able to do so and the win is probably the biggest moment of my paddling career so far!

“(The fact that I won) hasn’t hit me just yet but I’m sure it will later and then I really will enjoy the moment,” she added.

Under-16 paddler Anya Botes was the first junior girl across the line to win the junior event.

More information can be found at www.berg.org.za

 

Overall Results of the 2013 Berg River Canoe Marathon:
1.Jenna Ward (U23) 20:43.05
2.Kirsten Penderis 20:45.01
3.Joritha Prins 22:18:03
4.Lisa Scott 22:49.18
5.Juli Morris 22:54.40
Junior Girls:
1.Anya Botes 23:23.53
 
Stage Results of the 2013 Berg River Canoe Marathon:
Stage 1:
1.Jenna Ward 5:04.43
2.Kirsten Penderis 5:05.25
3.Joritha Prins 5:18.44
Stage 2:
1.Kirsten Penderis 3:57.35
2.Jenna Ward (U23) 4:03.18
3.Joritha Prins 4:30.55
Stage 3:
1.Jenna Ward (U23) 6:14.13
2.Kirsten Penderis 6:17.10
3.Joritha Prins 6:40.55
Stage 4:
1.Jenna Ward (U23) 5:20.49
2.Kirsten Penderis 5:20.56
3.Joritha Prins 5:47.28
4.Lisa Scott 5:46.24
5.Juli Morris 5:47.33
 

 

(With editing by gsport)

Please Rate this Post

0 ratings, 0 votes0 ratings, 0 votes (0 rating, 0 votes, rated)
You need to be a registered member to rate this.
Loading...

New Report

Close