McGregor, Ward on Dusi podium

The North Coast’s star canoeists, Hank McGregor and Jenna Ward once again kept the Dolphin Coast flag flying high at the 2015 Dusi Canoe Marathon, both winning their respective categories.

Five time Marathon World champion and two time Dusi winner, Hank McGregor and his other half Pippa raced into Blue Lagoon on Saturday to break the mixed doubles record by a massive four minutes in a time of 9:03:06. Hank said it was an incredible experience traversing the Burma Road portage, one of the toughest obstacles in canoeing, with his wife, Pippa.

This was the first time that Hank was not racing to win, but competed socially with his wife in the Dr Ian Player Memorial Charity Batch (Courier, February 20, McGregor duo to tackle Dusi for fun). This, the 64th edition of the Dusi, was a tribute to the race’s founder, Dr Ian Player who passed away on November 30 last year. Hugh Raw and Ian Ross completed the marathon in canvas and wooden boats similar to those used in Player’s days.

Jenna Ward’s time of 10:15:02 won her gold in the U23 women’s race and third overall in the women’s open category after 16-year-old Cana Peek and Laura O’Donoghue who won in 9:40:21.

Peek nearly sacrificed her second place to Ward when she slipped and fell on the loose gravel across the Burma Road portage.

Marathon World Championships U23 Women’s bronze medalist, Ward went flat out from the start on Friday and Saturday’s stages two and three, trying to eliminate Peek’s slight gap.

Peek and Ward battled hard all through the final stage and Ward decided to paddle around the Burma Road portage rather than crossing it. After the portage Ward kept getting closer to Peek and was within seconds of her at the Silver Pipe Line but Peek managed to stay away from Ward on the flat water into the finish.