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Early Mist Farm - The record books of the Drak Challenge were re-written on Sunday as Andy Birkett recorded his sixth consecutive title while Abby Solms continued her dominance of the Southern Drakensberg classic by winning an unprecedented eighth Drak crown.
The two races couldn't have been more different with Euro Steel’s Birkett having the privilege of a two minute buffer going into Sunday's final stage while Solms and her team-mate Jenna Ward were separated by just a few seconds.
In the end it was the class of Birkett that shone through and he cruised home to a five minute victory. With his win, Birkett is now the most successful male paddler at the Drak Challenge equalling Ant Stott's mark of six titles.
"I don't do this for the records, I come to Underberg to have a jol," the laid back champion said.
"I have said it in the past but this is definitely my favourite race on the calendar, no matter what the conditions are.
"Today I was a little worried about the water level and I had to be careful about every rock that I went over."
Coming home in second was local youngster Stew Little.
"I definitely had a few glances over my shoulder today to make sure that Stew wasn’t catching me," Birkett added. "He has been doing a lot of tripping and knows the river better than anyone so I was a bit concerned.
"Massive congratulations to Stew on his result!"
Little, who won the Under 23 age category, lead Siseko Ntondini across the line by just under 20 seconds and with this result Little has announced his arrival at the sharp end of South African paddling.
"Andy and Hank (McGregor) are still in a league of their own and Hank was really unlucky when he put a hole in his boat but I hope that in the future I can fight it out with them.
"Hank caught me in the first six kilometres of the day and I felt like I was going backwards!
"I just wanted to hold on to third but after Hank put the hole in his boat I managed to open a slight lead over Siseko and then held on to the end!"
For Ntondini it was a strong result finishing on the podium. He was followed home by birthday boy Alan Houston in fourth and under 18 age category winner David Evans in fifth.
The ladies race was wide open going into the final stage on Sunday with four women with a realistic shot at winning the title, however Solms was lurking just a few seconds behind Ward and the pressure was on the defending champion.
Despite not being at her best, Solms showed her class and experience in the technical sections to pip Ward right at the death in an exciting end-sprint.
"It was very difficult for me, usually I feel a lot more comfortable," the eight-time champion said.
"Even the flat sections were low so the girls couldn't pull away from me so I pulled on the front of the bunch and I knew that it would be more difficult for them on my wave.
"Bridgitte (Hartley) came past with a big bunch but I didn't get worried. I think the key for me was just focusing on my own race and enjoying myself."
Ward had to settle for second place and despite Bridgitte Hartley putting in a monumental effort she couldn’t reel in Ward or Solms and finished in third.
In the Under 23 age category contest it was race runner-up Little who took the honours ahead of Alan Houston in second and Maswenkosi Mtolo in third.
Christie Mackenzie was the strongest Under 23 lady, and finished fourth in the ladies race overall.
Winning the Under 18 boys prize was Maritzburg College's David Evans. He beat Matthew Fenn and Sam Butcher, who finished second and third respectively.
The Under 18 girls crown went to Caitlin Mackenzie with Amy Peckett finishing second and under 16 rising star Georgina Howard in third.
Michaelhouse's Matthew Millward was the first Under 16 boat over the line and Georgina Howard was the first Under 16 girl home.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS - Drak Challenge:
Overall
1.Andy Birkett 2:45:13
2.Stew Little (U23) 2:50:24
3.Siseko Ntondini 2:51:52
4.Alan Houston (U23) 2:52:30
5.David Evans (U18) 2:53:21
6.Banetse Nkhoesa 2:53:22
7.Kiko Vega (ESP) 2:54:02
8.Maswenkosi Mtolo (U23) 2:53:22
9.Thulani Mbjanwa 2:55:41
10.Carl Folscher 2:55:48
Women
1.Jenna Ward 3:11:41
2.Abby Solms 3:11:42
3.Bridgitte Hartley 3:11:57
4.Christie Mackenzie (U23) 3:14:04
5.Nikki Birkett 3:15:57
Under 23 Men
1.Stew Little 2:50:24
2.Alan Houston 2:52:30
3.Maswenkosi Mtolo 2:53:22
Under 23 Women
1.Christie Mackenzie 3:14:04
Under 18 Boys
1.David Evans 2:53:21
2.Matthew Fenn 2:57:10
3.Sam Butcher 2:58:48
Under 18 Girls
1.Caitlin Mackenzie 3:20:37
2.Amy Peckett 3:29:03
3.Georgina Howard (U16) 3:34:45
Under 16 Boys
1.Matthew Millward 3:07:22
Under 16 Girls
1.Georgina Howard 3:34:45
