McGregor claims Lowveld Sasol Croc

After yesterday’s energy sapping Lowveld heat, paddlers awoke to a cool, overcast valley with an additional water release which gave the river some extra velocity and concealed some the of the previous day’s obstacles.

With a two and a half minute lead over Aussie sensation Josh Kippen, McGregor enjoyed a clean run and put another three and half minutes on second place for a comfortable victory.

“It was a little easier knowing where I was going today, a bit cooler with a slight headwind, fantastic rapids and I thoroughly enjoyed it.  It was rapid after rapid – I think the longest pool was 150m of flats and the rest was just a roller coaster ride. I’m so glad I came to do it after so many years of wanting to and I will definitely be back.”

Josh Kippen, out from Australia for 6 months for the SA river circuit, made sure he shot the first weir correctly today then paddled a solid race to secure second.

“It went ok,” he modestly commented, “some of my lines today were definitely unconventional but I made it down and got through pretty cleanly so am really happy. It was always going to be tough chasing a 3 minute deficit.” Jacques Theron held on for third by a mere 7 seconds with Lowveld’s Mark Smith having a storming day to pull just under 2 minutes into Theron’s overnight gap with Loveday Zondi completing the Top Five, 3 minutes behind Smith.

In the ladies race a nervous Hillary Bruss knew that former champion and Olympian Jen Theron was only two minutes behind her so paddled a focused race. “I definitely felt the pressure from the start. It’s much nicer being the chaser than being chased.

I’ve been told never turn around and look back but at one point I had to and saw a black helmet. I didn’t know if it was her but I said to myself I’m not looking back again.” She needn’t have worried as Theron took a few swims to lose a further 4 minutes and lose her crown.

“It’s the first time I’ve come to the Lowveld and had no mishaps the whole race,” beamed Bruss. “It’s been my goal to try and win Lowveld for as long as I’ve been racing and this is the first year that I’ve finally won it. I’m very satisfied and happy.”

Final results:

Men

1.       Hank McGregor                3:54:00 (SV)

2.       Josh Kippin (AUS)            3:59:59 (U/23)

3.       Jacques Theron                4:03:10 (SV)

4.       Mark Smith                         4:03:17

5.       Loveday Zondi                   4:06:46

Ladies

1      Hillary Bruss                      4:36:52

2      Jen Theron                         4:43:07