Birkett and Solms bask in Drak Challenge glory
Andy Birkett wrapped up a five minute victory at the 2019 N3TC Drak Challenge.
THE record books of the N3TC 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.
Coming home in second was local Euro Steel/Varsity College youngster Stew Little. Little, who won the U23 age category, lead Euro Steel’s 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.
For Ntondini it was a strong result finishing on the podium.
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.
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 U23 age category contest it was race runner-up Little who took the honours ahead of Alan Houston in second and Maswenkosi Mtolo in third.
Euro Steel/Varsity College’s Christie Mackenzie was the strongest U23 lady, and finished fourth in the ladies race overall.
Winning the U18 boys prize was David Evans. He beat Matthew Fenn and Sam Butcher, who finished second and third respectively.
The U18 girls crown went to Caitlin Mackenzie with Amy Peckett finishing second and U16 rising star Georgina Howard in third.
Matthew Millward was the first U16 boat over the line and Georgina Howard was the first U16 girl home.
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