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A flurry of entries from top international paddlers has created a real stir in the already star-studded field that is assembling for the Hansa Fish River Canoe marathon in Cradock on 27 and 28 September.
Eight elite paddlers from Europe are set to be on the start line in a couple of weeks’ time with Tobias Bong (Germany), Tomáš Slovák, Jakub Adam, Lukáš Trefil, Richard Hala, Jony Sramek and Anna Adamová (all Czech Republic) and Valentin Henot (France) all excited by their upcoming Hansa Fish adventure.
For Bong, Slovák, Adam and Adamová it is a welcome return to the Eastern Cape’s paddling major having competed in the event previously while this year’s adventure will be a first for Trefil, Hala, Sramek and Henot.
Germany’s Bong finished eighth in a K1 in 2009 before powering his way onto the bottom step of the podium after an impressive two days with K2 partner Achm Overbeck in 2011. Bong returns this year once again hunting a top three finish, this time with his brand new and untested partner – Slovák.
Slovák, himself no stranger to the Fish as he too looks to notch up his third finish, has previously finished fourth in 2010 with fellow Czech star Robert Knebel before boat admin in 2011 forced them down into sixth.
Having spent many months in South Africa last year and early this year preparing for last year’s Fish, the 2013 N3TC Drak Challenge and this year’s Dusi Canoe Marathon, Adam will now tackle this year’s challenge with London Olympic K4 bronze medallist Trefil in another combination that will enjoy its debut in Cradock after original plans to paddle with fellow South Africa-experienced countryman Michael Odvarko fell through at the last moment.
Adam claimed a decent 15th place finish in a K1 in 2012 and will be looking to both build on this as well as have a good time on the river this time around.
Hala and Sramek make up the third and final all-foreign duo with the talented young pair who have shown great promise in on the European wild water front while Hala also made a name for himself in the sprint world a little earlier this year.
Adam’s sister, Adamová – who also spent a vast period on South African shores towards the end of last year and early 2013 – will look to build on her 11th place K1 finish in 2012 when she team’s up with one of South Africa’s most successful female paddlers of recent times, Abby Adie.
The other South African/international pairing sees Frenchman Henot joining Western Cape’s exciting under 23 talent Ivan Kruger as the pair look to worm their way into the top ten and possibly even stake a claim for a top five finish.
With all of South Africa’s top river marathoners having already ensured their names are on the entry list, the addition of these elite international stars has sparked even further interest in what many believe will be one of the most exciting and closely fought K2 editions of the Hansa Fish in many years.
The Hansa Fish River Canoe marathon takes place on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 September.
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Article source: http://www.supersport.com/xtra/xtra/news/130912/Strong_international_flavour_adds_to_2013_Hansa_Fish_mix