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A quick one this week ...
The feint hearted, who have avoided the Umkomaas marathon over the years, due to its intimidating nature, will be kicking themselves for not entering the event this year.
It was my 38th Umko, and, to date, I cannot remember a previous one that was nearly this low. Due to the water level, it was also the first time I have ever done the race in a K1.
No matter the level, the Umko always manages to produce the goods.
Unlike a low Dusi, a halfway decent driver would not be forced to get out of his/her boat (in a K1). Another added bonus is "no sandbanks". Also, when the river is low, the water is invariably very clean. When it is full, it is a swirling chocolate mass.
The lure that the valley holds for many who have done multiple races (Guy Haynes did his 40th this year) is immense. One cannot but marvel at its grandeur.
For many of the participants, the thrill of being on that river far outweighs any delusion of being competitive.
This cannot be said for all, and the front of the field was as competitive as one can get.
Although not specifically stated, the K2 category has always been the most competitive.
The going was hard on bodies and equipment in a K2. Results were based on good lines and more than a smattering of luck.
Clint Cook and Luke Salmon won the first day, but ran out of talent during day 2 and were forced to abandon the race.
Matt Fenn and Bradley Boulle did it in reverse, experiencing difficulties on the first day, and then posting, by far, the fastest time on the second day.
It was, however, the unlikely pairing of Tom Lovemore and Australian Brendan Rice (son of 1988 winner Shaun Rice) who kept their act together and pulled off the victory.
Last year's winner (and the 3 before that as well), Wayne Jacobs proved that he could be competitive without Hank and managed second place, with his brother Warren.
Jacques Theron walked off with the trophy for winning the K1 category (5th overall), with Hilary Bruss winning the women's K1.
The Stihl Umkomaas marathon was superbly organised by Scott Rogers and his team from KCC, with a healthy showing of competitors from Dabulamanzi and Border Canoe Clubs.
From the "hecticness" of the Umkomaas river, to the dead flat conditions (hopefully) that competitors will face at the Victoria Lake Canoe Club, in Germiston, tomorrow, when they start lining up for the myriad of events that comprise the SA Sprint Championships, and the SA Schools Sprint Championships.
The races over the weekend will count as selection events for no less than 5 different tours.
The most important, by far, being the Paris Olympics.
Both a men's and a women's K2 combination will be selected from the 500m.
The selection criteria are simple. If a crew wins the race by more than 1.5%, they will have booked their ticket. If they don't win by more than 1.5%, then all of the crews that finished within the 1.5% will have another bite at the cherry.
The 500m races are scheduled for tomorrow.
There are some really interesting combinations, including marathon world champions and surfski world champions.
The distinct favourites in the women's race must be Esti Olivier and Tiffany Koch. By this time tomorrow, we will know if the likes of Saskia Hockly and Christie McKenzie, or Bridgitte Hartley and Michelle Burn have managed an upset.
Same goes for the men. Will specialist sprinters Chrisjan Coetzee and Nick Weeks prevail, or will it be the hybrid pairings of Andy Birkett/Hamish Lovemore, Hank McGregor/Uli Hart. And, not forgetting the super-fast Shaun Rubenstein/Mike Arthur combination.
Besides the Olympic selection event, the weekend will give a host of the country's best sprinters an opportunity to showcase their talent.
It promises to be a nail biting few days.
I know where I am going to be. |
