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Biltong is the ultimate padkos. Here’s where to find the good stuff the next time you are driving through the Karoo.

Karoo biltong

Karoo Biltong, Laingsburg

Kobus Reynolds recommends Karoo Biltong in Laingsburg, high praise considering he’s a purist and generally eats only biltong made by his wife, Annatjie. 11 Voortrekker Road, 023-551-1619.

Klein Merino Butchery, Beaufort West

Make a turn at Raymond Meyer’s Klein Merino Butchery for his excellent wet beef biltong. The original shopfront faces onto New Street, just down the road from Raymond’s factory, Gold Finger Biltong, and taxidermists Waldo and Ricus de Vries (who happen to be identical twins). The working entrance is on Church Street and much of it is clad with a metal security grill. Don’t be deterred if it looks shut – go inside and make your way to the Biltong Bar. 13 Church Street, 023-415-1134.

BB Biltong, Cradock

With the oversized wooden ‘biltong’ hanging above its roof, De Wilge butchery seems an obvious pit stop, but Craddock’s finest dry beef biltong is made by Bruce Meyer. I know this because I got chatting to Lisa Antrobus-Ker, owner of Victoria Manor hotel, who put me onto the chef, Hayla, who is married to Bruce – that’s small-town networks for you! Officially called BB Biltong, the calico sack is free of branding though it’s labelled ‘vir manne met of sonder tande’ (for men with or without teeth). Call Hayla on 082-347-3832 and look out for it at the Caltex in Cradock.

Die Vetmuis Plaaskombuis, Richmond

You can find Annatjie Reynolds’ biltong and droewors in Richmond, halfway between Joburg and Cape Town. Take a loop through the town’s main drag by pulling off the N1 before or after the Caltex and stop in at Die Vetmuis Plaaskombuis, a shop run by Annatjie and three other farmers’ wives living in the area. Droewors and venison chilli bites are usually available year round and if not made by Annatjie (aka Kerkmuis), it will be made by one of the other partners nicknamed Streepmuis, Mooimuis or Plaasmuis. Cured beef is sold from mid-May to August and venison biltong when available. Order on 053-693-0570. 56 Loop Street, www.kookenkuierindiekaroo.com.

Karoo biltong

 

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This article, Best biltong stops in the Karoo, was originally posted on the Getaway Blog by Nikki Werner.

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Half of the Vodacom Cup fixtures this week will take place at venues that can be described as “off rugby’s beaten track” as South Africa’s premier development competition continues to spread its wings.

Cradock’s Rovers Field, the DP de Villiers Stadium in Sasolburg, Leeudoring Rugby Club in Leeudoringstad and the Bill Jardine Stadium in Industria, Johannesburg will all host Vodacom Cup matches this weekend as the competition passes the halfway mark of the group phase.

The pick of the fixtures in the North Section is on Friday evening in Nelspruit, where the Steval Pumas will host GWK Griquas at the Mbombela Stadium. These are the only two unbeaten teams left in this section and the side from Kimberley will be looking for revenge after losing this fixture at home last year to the eventual runners up.

Also in the North Section, the Valke and Assupol Limpopo Blue Bulls will be looking for their first win of 2014 when they take on each other in Sasolburg on Saturday afternoon, while interest should be high for the Leopards XV’s home game in Leeudoringstad against the Vodacom Blue Bulls.

The two top teams in the South Section also take on each other this weekend when the Cell C Sharks XV host the SWD Eagles in Durban on Saturday afternoon. The KwaZulu-Natalians are unbeaten, but following a defeat in the opening round, Bevin Fortuin’s Eagles side have recorded two solid victories and are looking strong.

The EP Kings, currently lying fifth in the South Section, will be keen to get back to winning ways and not lose touch with the front runners when they host the third-placed Toyota Free State XV in Cradock.

And almost 300km south east, in East London on Friday, the Border Bulldogs will face DHL Western Province without one of our first featured rising stars, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, who has joined the DHL Stormers on tour in Australia.

Each week we will feature emerging young players from the North and the South Sections who are making their way up the rugby ladder. This week we look at two hard-working loose forwards, Thabo Mabuza (Golden Lions) and Teboho “Oupa” Mohoje (Toyota Free State XV).

Attie Scholtz, a farmer from the Northern Cape, will drive back to his farm in the Douglas area with his brand new Toyota Hilux 2.7 VVTi Raised Body Raider after he was awarded the coveted 2013 Agri SA / Toyota SA Young Farmer of the Year award.

Scholtz was chosen as the 2013 Young Farmer of the Year through many gruelling rounds of elimination and was first chosen as the Northern Cape regional finalist. He was then awarded top honours out of a group of 8 regional finalists.

Speaking at the function, Johannes Möller, president of Agri SA said this year’s finalists have shown the tenacity to carry on through the challenges that they all face with the changing circumstances in Agriculture. “They purposefully look at long-term, sustainable growth to ensure all the possibilities have been considered. The finalists have illustrated that sound decision making skills makes the difference when building a successful business.

 “All the finalists are great contenders and very good farmers in their own right but Scholtz is a worthy winner of this coveted prize.”

In winning the award, Scholtz successfully competed against finalists from all other provinces in South Africa. Finalists were nominated based on their performance in their respective region, and were subject to the rule that they are between 18 and 35 and must have been a member of Agri SA’s provincial organisations for at least two years. All finalists were nominated by their respective Agri SA provincial councils and were tested on a multitude of aspects, including their financial and business skills, farming skill and proficiency in management focusing specifically on their own contribution, independence and decision making authority.

Scholtz (35) holds a BComm honours degree in Business Management and farms on Vaallus in the Douglas area near Kimberley in the Northern Cape. He farms with lucerne, maize, wheat, barley, beef cattle. He also owns and runs a transport business which he uses to mainly transport lucerne from his own farm and the neighbouring farms.

Speaking at the gala announcement of the awards, Calvyn Hamman, Toyota South Africa Motors Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing, emphasised the ability of farmers in this country. “Farmers know all about tough and what it takes to put food on the country’s table. We salute your resolute will and your ability to ‘maak ‘n plan’. We respect your skill as the manager of a very diverse business and admire your ability to operate in widely varying conditions.”

The evaluations were done by a panel of well-known agricultural specialists. They were the convenor Prof Carlu van der Westhuizen of the Central University of Technology, Free State, Prof Hentie van der Merwe, University of the Free State, Prof Pieter Fourie, Central University of Technology, Free State, and Mr Johannes Kokome, SAB Millers.

In their evaluation of Scholtz’s farming skills, the panel of judges commended him on his overall control and management of his farm, his excellent labour relations and the happy state of his workforce for whom he has helped improve their housing and living conditions and his strong financial management of his farm and his transport business.

“Due to Scholtz’s innovative actions and driving force, his farming operation has grown significantly during the past 7 years irrespective of the huge impact natural disasters (2 floods) had on his business.  The irrigation land has more than doubled, while a comprehensive infrastructure and range of farming implements and machinery was established. Scholtz is producing lucerne of the highest quality, to such an extent that he receives a premium price for the product.  He investigates several marketing options that are utilised to ensure the highest prices for his crops and livestock. In addition to this, his high level of training enables him to do his own recordkeeping and planning, while he also utilises the available knowledge and skills of other agricultural experts in his business,” says Prof Van der Westhuizen.

Scholtz was awarded the title of 2013 Agri SA / Toyota SA Young Farmer of the Year at a gala dinner held in Johannesburg. He received the keys of a brand new Toyota Hilux from Calvyn Hamman at the event.

“We believe that this vehicle is the perfect fit for Agri SA and the agriculture community at large. Our founder Dr Albert Wessels famously said that he would market our first bakkie, the Toyota Stout, to the farmers first. His logic was that if they found use for it, it would survive any environment. Today, the Toyota Hilux remains South Africa’s favourite vehicle,” says Hamman.

The other finalists in the Young Farmer of the Year competition nominations were:

 

• Western Cape: Hannes Toua farms in the Ladismith area with peaches, plums, apricots and pom grenades.

2013-10-18 21:42

(Nielen de Klerk, News24)

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Johannesburg – Service delivery protests in Missionvale,
Port Elizabeth, and Cookhouse, near Cradock, were under control on Friday
afternoon, Eastern Cape police said.

“Earlier this morning [residents] were throwing stones
at police,” said police spokesperson Alwin Labans said.

Police fired rubber bullets to disperse them.

“The situation is under control,” he said
around 15:00.

They burnt tyres and blocked roads to express their
dissatisfaction with the rate of housing delivery and other services.

No one had been arrested, Labans said.

In a separate protest, residents of Cookhouse set a
municipal building alight on Thursday around 21:00, said spokesperson Stefanie
Smith.

“About… 600 dissatisfied community members took to
the streets and started stoning the municipality building to express their
alleged dissatisfaction [with municipal services].”

The protesters later set the building alight, set fire to
a tractor tyre under a railway bridge on the R63, which disrupted traffic, and
stoned a police car.

“Today everything is under control. Local police are
monitoring the situation,” Smith said.

A case of public violence was being investigated, but no
one had been arrested.

Spy tapes case cost taxpayers over R1m

The DA can deliver a better life in the Eastern Cape

Note to editors: This is a speech extract given by DA leader Helen Zille,  in Cradock, Eastern Cape today.

It is exciting to be in Cradock today.

I am delighted to be accompanied by the DA Amahlati Constituency Leader, Nosimo Balindlela and DA Cradock Constituency, Leader Donald Smiles MP.

Under their leadership, the DA is growing fast here. New branches and structures are rapidly being created.

A new story is being written in the Eastern Cape.

Up to now, the ANC have treated the province as its natural electoral heartland. But more and more people are realising that while the ANC promises a better life, it is the DA which delivers a better life.

The DA is already transforming local government in South Africa day by day. And we are in government in the Western Cape and the city of Cape Town. 

Where the DA governs, we support strong communities, stand up for the weak, the sick, and the helpless.

The mark of the good society is not the contentment of the privileged, wealthy and strong, but our commitment to the poor and weak.

Our message to every South African is that where your circumstances now do not have to determine where you will end up. 

We say that where ever we get the chance to serve, you will receive opportunities to change your destiny.

But we can only do this if you register to vote and turn out to vote on the day of the general election. 

Politicians fear saying it, but the electorate gets the government they choose. 

In 2013, South Africans are voting with their feet for change.

The DA today is the only alternative to the ANC.

We are the only party which will be able to remove the ANC from power.

We are the only party that has grown in every election.  And we will continue to grow.  Our aim is to form the core of a new party by 2019.

This does not mean that things will stay the same for the next six years.

If the DA wins Gauteng and the Western Cape next year, we will be able to create opportunities for millions more people.

But there is an important reason why it will also help voters in the Eastern Cape.

The ANC are terrified that their grip on this province is loosening. They can feel it.

That is why the ANC arrived in Ngqeleni village yesterday to disrupt our meeting.  Hundreds of DA supporters came together to hold a rally in the community hall.  A handful of ANC supporters tried in vain to prevent the meeting going ahead.  They saw the future in that hall.  It is a true blue future, full of hope and optimism.  We aim to become the official opposition in the Eastern Cape in the next election.

That will be a very important development. More DA representatives in the provincial legislature will expose corruption and poor service delivery. 

The national parliament is being revived because our members of parliament fearlessly ask hard questions every day. Your Eastern Cape MPs are bringing the burning issues of this province direct to parliament. More MPs will bring more expertise to keep the ANC on its toes.

And I appeal directly to voters in the Eastern Cape who are disillusioned by the ANC: give the DA a chance next year by lending us your vote.  

The DA is the most diverse political party in South Africa today. We do not thrive on divisions, but on what we can do better together.  

We are the only party that can deliver real freedoms to every individual and community.

We are the only party with a solid track record of delivering jobs and essential services.

We know that South Africa will not be the country it can be until we fix our schools so that every child gets a decent education, and everybody gets to participate in a non-racial and inclusive economy.

We all share a desire for change.  But we are looking for more than just a change of ruling party. We want to change the direction of South Africa and restore people’s confidence.

If everybody votes in next year’s election we can bring the ANC below sixty percent of the vote nationally. 

We still have a lot of work to do to achieve our objectives. According to the IEC, 4 million young South Africans are not registered to vote in next year’s election.

Imagine what we could do if all these young people registered and voted? The DA would be far closer to governing South Africa.

This would mean more jobs, better schools, more service delivery to the poor and less corruption.

And every vote across South Africa and the Eastern Cape will count.

We can change South Africa together.

Issued by the DA, September 22 2013

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by Hopeful? on September 23 2013, 09:03
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Bourgeois democracy in a perfect nutshell

“We, the bourgeois party, can be a better ANC than the ANC.

“We own everything, including the slogans and the history of the ANC! Everything!

“Surrender! Resistance is futile! There is no alternative!

“Backwards is the newReport it

by ANC is Rubbish on September 24 2013, 09:12
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by Hlumelo on September 24 2013, 09:30
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Hlumelo, your task is hopeless

Come back to the ANC.

by Domza on September 24 2013, 10:39
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by Anon II on September 24 2013, 13:40
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by Hopeful? on September 24 2013, 15:16
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by Sipho on September 24 2013, 16:05
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by Chris on September 24 2013, 20:14
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23 September 2013, 17:14

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On the back of claiming his third Flatwater Marathon World Championship title in Copenhagen over the weekend, South Africa’s Hank McGregor will now lead a horde of world-class South African and internationals from Denmark to Cradock for Friday’s opening stage of the 2013 Hansa Fish River Canoe Marathon.

McGregor once again showed just why he is regarded by many as the best all-round paddler on the globe when he overcame a strong senior men’s K1 field to claim gold for the third time in his career on Saturday afternoon, before heading straight to the airport to return home to focus on his Hansa Fish campaign.

McGregor’s fellow senior men’s competitor and Hansa Fish partner, Grant van der Walt, finished seventh overall in the same race, a result that will give the pair an enormous confidence boost ahead of this year’s Eastern Cape event where they will look to make the Hansa Fish K2 title their own for the fourth consecutive time this weekend.

Triple Dusi Canoe Marathon winner Andy Birkett also enjoyed a golden Danish trip as he narrowly edged out van der Walt’s younger brother, Brandon, by just centimetres to claim the U23 world title with van der Walt completing the South African one-two.

Birkett and his 2013 Hansa Fish partner Cam Schoeman then put in another top performance a day later as the pair powered to a solid fifth place in the men’s K2 event, sandwiched between their fellow South African crew of former Marathon World Champ Shaun Rubenstein and 2013 Surfski World Champ Sean Rice, who finished fourth, and the Czech Republic’s Jakub Adam and Michael Odvãrko, who claimed sixth position.

Birkett and Schoeman will now race how to form one of a trio of pairings labelled this year’s Hansa Fish ‘big three’ out to make the title their own while van der Walt will pair up with SA sprinter Stuart MacLaren.

Despite not being under quite the same pre-Fish pressures as some of his fellow top stars who performed in Denmark, Rice will be yet another keen to get home and start his preparations for this year’s Eastern Cape assignment where he will look to team up with his girlfriend, Emily McGrath, in what promises to be a hotly contested mixed doubles category.

Having tackled the Hansa Fish in K1s last year, Adam and Odvãrko had their hopes of a 2013 K2 entry dashed recently when Odvãrko was forced to withdraw from the trip due to personal reasons.

Adam will however still look to head south as quickly as possible as he joins Czech sprint sensation Lukas Trefil for this year’s Fish clash.

Adam’s sister, Anna Adamová, was yet another 2013 Hansa Fish attendee who enjoyed great success in Copenhagen where she claimed the silver medal in the women’s K1 event before racing to third place in the K2 event with partner Lenka Hrochovä.

Adamová will now team up with top SA river marathoner Abby Adie in Cradock as the pair look to take on the likes of fellow top female river paddler Robyn Kime and her partner, London Olympic bronze medallist Bridgitte Hartley.

Hartley, another racing against the clock to be home in time for Friday’s start, will however prefer to forget her Danish excursion after a rudder mechanical just 500m from the start line ended her and doubles partner Michéle Eray’s K2 medal challenge.

U18 girls sensation Kirsten Flanagan was yet another of Team SA’s standout performers as she bravely battled her way to a memorable silver medal, adding to the gold she claimed at the Surfski Worlds in Portugal earlier this year.

Despite this year’s Hansa Fish being a K2 championship year, Flanagan has opted to take part individually, although her recent marathon effort would have done her chances of securing herself a top partner no harm.

Others too have performed in Denmark and who will now head for Cradock are Michelle Burn, Jenna Ward, Kerry Segal and Kenny Rice while the strong performances by the South African masters across the categories in the days leading up to the elite competition bodes well for competitive clashes throughout the age groups at this year’s Hansa Fish River Canoe Marathon.

The Hansa Fish River Canoe marathon takes place on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 September.

SELECTED RESULTS – ICF FLATWATER MARATHON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS K1 (Singles)

Senior Men
1.Hank McGregor (RSA)
7.Grant van der Walt (RSA)

Senior Women
2.Anna Adamová (CZE)
10.Alexa Cole (RSA)
DNF – Michelle Burn (RSA)

U23 Men
1.Andy Birkett (RSA)
2.Brandon van der Walt (RSA)

U23 Women
16.Jenna Ward (RSA)
DNF – Kerry Segal (RSA)

U18 Boys
7.Kenny Rice (RSA)
17.Nicolas Notten (RSA)

U18 Girls
2. Kirsten Flanagan (RSA)
11.Kerry Shuter (RSA)

K2 (Doubles)

Senior Men
4.Shaun Rubenstein (RSA)/Sean Rice (RSA)
5.Andy Birkett (RSA)/Cam Schoeman (RSA)
6.Jakub Adam (CZE)/Michael Odvãrko (CZE)

Senior Women
3.Anna Adamová (CZE)/Lenka Hrochovä (CZE)
DNF – Bridgitte Hartley (RSA)/Michéle Eray (RSA)
DNF – Alexa Cole (RSA)/Eloise Horn (RSA)

U18 Boys
7.Kenny Rice (RSA)/Nicolas Notten (RSA)
23.Calvin McKie (RSA)/Gene Prato (RSA)

U18 Girls
8.Kerry Shuter (RSA)/Jordan Peek (RSA)
19.Kelly Biljoen (RSA)/Nicole Smith (RSA)

SELECTED RESULTS – ICF MASTERS FLATWATER MARATHON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

K1 (Singles)

Women 35-39
1.Marion Jones (RSA)

Men 55-59
2.Nic Oldert (RSA)

Men 60-64
2.Alan Hold (RSA)

Men 70-74
1.Len Jenkins Snr. (RSA)

K2 (Doubles)

Women 35-39
1.Marion Jones (RSA)/Angela Scruby (RSA)

Men 40-44
3.Gustav Radlof (RSA)/Gustav Smook (RSA)

Men 45-49
3.Brandon Collyer (RSA)/Rob Hart (RSA)

Women 45-49
2.Lis Hart (RSA)/Sandra Eardley (RSA)

Women 50-54
2.Hilde Lapere (RSA)/Margie Boehm (AUS)

Men 60-64
1.Alan Hold (RSA)/Lee McGregor (RSA)

Men 70-74
1.Len Jenkins Snr. (RSA)/Marc Moens (BEL)

C1 (Singles)

Men 50-54
2.Radoslav Olsewski (RSA)

Charles Duke, the 10th and youngest person to walk on the moon, landed in Grahamstown last week.

Duke made the trip to South Africa for hunting and was brought to Woodlands game farm, about 54km out of Grahamstown, on the Cradock Road, by Joe da Silva Cape Town Hunting Safaris.

Now aged 78, Duke was 36 when he walked on the moon in 1972, as an astronaut for Nasa. He is a retired US Air Force brigadier general.

Duke stayed at Woodlands from Monday 23 September to Thursday 26 September, leaving with a kudu trophy to add to his collection.

Duke lives in Teas with his wife Dorothy, who accompanied him on the visit to South Africa. This was Duke’s fourth visit to this country and Duke was keen to tour Cape Town, which he hadn’t yet seen.

There he met up with Da Silva, who recommended Woodlands as a great spot to hunt.

After his hunting trip, Duke planned to head off to Pretoria to visit friends before returning home. He said he’d been invited to the launch of The Winds of Havoc: A Memoir Of Adventure And Destruction In Deepest Africa which was written by his friend Adelino Serras Pires. Duke is mentioned in the book.

Duke said the Woodlands ranch was a beautiful place, adding that they had done some sightseeing during their stay.

While Grocott’s Mail visited Duke at the game farm, Duke was autographing photographs for a get-together of Woodlands friends on Duke’s request. He also spoke about his visit to the moon.

Apollo 16 (April 16–27, 1972) was launched from John F. Kennedy Space Center and was the fifth manned lunar landing mission. Duke was the lunar module pilot, John Young was commander, and Ken Mattingly was command module pilot.

Apollo 16 was the first scientific expedition to inspect, survey, and sample materials on their landing place called Descartes. Duke and Young made three excursions in different areas using a Lunorover, collecting rock and soil samples so as to “understand the moon”.

Duke said they collected samples for scientists from various universities across the world. While Duke said some rock samples had been destroyed during experimentation, there were still some “in safe-keeping”.

His scariest moment during the mission, Duke said, was during their Moon Olympics, which he and Young planned before leaving. While going for the lunar high jump record, Duke said he fell on his back. This could have proved very dangerous, because he was carrying all his oxygen on his back.

Before any further mishaps, the team packed up and returned to Earth.

Asked whether the moon landing had changed his life, Duke said “not really”, except he said while he had never been interviewed before landing on the moon, he still does plenty of interviews, as well as been a motivational speaker.

UNIMPRESSED
: DA leader Helen Zille

DA leader Helen Zille believes her party is the only alternative to the ANC, she said on Sunday.

“[While] the ANC promises a better life, it is the DA which delivers a better life,” she was quoted as saying in a statement issued after a Democratic Alliance election rally in Cradock, in the Eastern Cape.

“Where the DA governs, we support strong communities, stand up for the weak, the sick, and the helpless,” she said.

“The mark of the good society is not the contentment of the privileged, wealthy and strong, but our commitment to the poor and weak.”

Zille said the DA was the only party which would be able to remove the African National Congress from power.

“If everybody votes in next year’s election we can bring the ANC below 60 percent of the vote nationally. We still have a lot of work to do to achieve our objectives.”

She said that according to the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), four million young South Africans were not registered to vote in next year’s election.

“Imagine what we could do if all these young people registered and voted? The DA would be far closer to governing South Africa.”

She said the DA was the only party with a solid track record of delivering jobs and essential services.

“The DA is the most diverse political party in South Africa today. We do not thrive on divisions, but on what we can do better together.

“We are the only party that can deliver real freedoms to every individual and community.”

She said it was looking for more than just a change of ruling party.

“We want to change the direction of South Africa and restore people’s confidence.”

BlackStarLiner

Helen, the word Can is not enough

If you could use an appropriate word like WILL, maybe you might be taken serious. The word Can suggests that you will have the same challenges the ANC is facing today so it’s pointless to vote for someone who WILL not deliver.

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JohnStone

Ag man Hellen, you are failing in WC and now you want us to believe that you can do better, why? Each govt failure in WC is blemed on the ANC, you never want to takle responsibility for your own shortcomings.

Atleast the ANC is honest about delivery, they accept that they have delivered but it is not enough. Say something new please, stop telling us about the ANC, we know the ANC better than you. We know the ANC’s successes and failures, as things stand, the ANC’s failures are still by far better than the DA’s successes that can be counted on one hand i.e bycle lanes in rich surbubs, a clean audit two years ago, Botox treatment for you so that you look younger than you actually are, driving a Toyota Prius, and denying any wrongdoing in tenders that Thuli found irregular and making noise about other irregularities that are associated with the ANC, see, really there is not much to brag about Hellen.
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26 September 2013, 13:58

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As the vibe around the small Eastern Cape town of Cradock continues to build ahead of the start of the 32nd edition of the Hansa Fish River Canoe Marathon on Friday, 27 September, a last-minute entry from surfski powerhouses Dawid Mocké of Cape Town and Matt Bouman of Durban has thrown the proverbial cat among the pigeons.

With an already talent-packed men’s field lining up victory, podium positions and top ten finishes, Mocké and Bouman’s eleventh hour entry has once again thrown predictions into disarray and would have betting enthusiasts scratching their heads as things are just too tight to call.

The ‘big three’ many have tipped to battle it out for this year’s title all bring remarkable form or world class pedigree with them that has left many drooling in anticipation for the showdown which is set to unfold on 27 and 28 September from Grassridge Dam to Cradock Sports Grounds.

Recently crowned Flatwater Marathon World Champion Hank McGregor and his regular K2 partner Grant van Walt will have one goal and one goal only this weekend – to win their fourth consecutive K2 Hansa Fish title together.

Should the pair be successful McGregor will become the first person ever to have won five doubles titles after he preceded his victories with van der Walt with a win with ‘Fisher King’ Len Jernkins.

Jenkins, having spent of his recent months in the paddling wilderness after he completed a self-discovering North American exploration, returns to the race he has completely dominated in a K1 for the past decade and will be eager to add this year’s K2 title to his remarkable Fish record.

He teams up with Port Elizabeth local and Hansa Fish darling Greg Louw who, with his vast knowledge of every centimetre of the route and impressive sprint speed and power, will be an invaluable asset in the back of Jenkins’ boat.

After also enjoying a golden Copenhagen trip to the Marathon World Champs, Andy Birkett – who was crowned U23 global champ at the event – and his 2013 doubles partner Cam Schoeman will look to build on the fantastic form they have shown throughout the year both locally at events such as the Sella in Spain and Marathon World Championships in Denmark when they go head to head with McGregor and van der Walt, Jenkins and Louw and the numerous other top class crews set to tackle this year’s race.

Mocké and Bouman, having both podiumed at the event previously and after steering well clear of the limelight throughout their ‘under-the-radar’ build up, will be a dark horse combination of note and one their fellow competitors will need to keep a close eye on throughout.

Having been thrust together by the power of social media, Dusi darling Sbonelo Zondi and surfski and fishing star Brett Bartho are quietly confident they can add their name to the list of podium potentials with Bartho drawing many similarities between his 2013 combo with Zondi and his 2004 second place finishing partnership with Mike Arthur.

Uncertain of how they will fair having only recently picked up a paddle again, 2013 Dusi victor Lance Kime and Valley of a Thousand Hills hero Thulani Mbanjwa will look to get their 2014 Dusi combination explorations underway at this year’s Fish and may well throw a spanner in the works of other crew eyeing out a top five finish.

With almost every single elite male paddler in South Africa set to launch an assault on this year’s event, the men’s field will be strengthened even further by the vast presence of top international pairings too.

2011 third place finisher Tobias Bong of Germany will team up will Czech Republic’s Tomáš Slovák and, having funded their trip to South Africa themselves, will be eager get their hands on their share of the R330 000+ prize money pool.

South African river racing regular Jakub Adam looks well set to once again feature towards the top end of this year’s Hansa Fish results however he is without regular K2 partner Michael Odvárko, who was forced to withdraw due to personal reasons, leaving Adam to partner fellow countryman and sprint sensation Lukáš Trefil.

South African under 23 talent Ivan Kruger, fresh off his Berg River Canoe Marathon podium earlier this year, will form one of a handful of SA/international combinations when he combines with French surfski star Valentin Henot.

Like Kruger, top local female river paddler and defending women’s K2 champ Abby Adie has opted to challenge for this year’s title with an international partner – Adam’s sister Anna Adamová – instead of her 2011 victorious partner Hilary Pitchford.

Pitchford, having recently overcome a devastating illness and tied the knot with fellow paddling star Deon Bruss, will instead team up with under 23 star Brittany Petersen in a brand new K2 combination.

They, together with Adie and Adamová and the rest of the women’s field, will however have a tough job overcoming the stiff opposition regular top ladies performer Robyn Kime and Olympic bronze medallist Bridgitte Hartley.

Fresh off a disappointing run at the recent Flatwater Marathon World Champs, where rudder troubles just 500m from the start line forced the Olympian and her partner – last year’s Hansa Fish ladies winner – Michéle Eray out of the clash, Hartley will be eager to get another confidence boosting victory under her belt when she and Kime take to the water early on Friday morning.

Rounding out the likely women’s top challengers are the surfski duo of Michelle Burn and Danica Burn and recent under 23 Marathon World Champs competitors Jenna Ward and Kerry Segal, both of whom come off a solid training platform having put in many hours of preparation ahead of the recent global clash.

With the likes of Travis and Tyler Wilson as well as Bianca Haw and Charlotte Lovemore set to lead the charge in the junior boys and girls clashes respectively as well as plenty of talent among the rest of both the junior and senior age groups, numerous races within the race are expected to unfold a little way behind the front-runners.

For those a little less interested in racing the 82km event, there are plenty of other drawcards that attract thousands from every corner of the country to the race, least of all the vibe and atmosphere that can’t be felt throughout the town throughout the course of the race.

Adding to this year’s festivities will be the performance of popular Afrikaans musician Theuns Jordaan on Friday evening while Port Elizabeth based Centrestage will entertain the hordes that will descend upon Cradock Sports Grounds for the legendary Saturday night party.

Ideal water levels and comfortable temperatures will be the cherry on the top for what promises to be yet another hugely successful Hansa Fish River Canoe Marathon weekend this year.

South Africa

Cradock – Defending champions Hank McGregor and Grant van der Walt shrugged off jetlag and colds to win Friday’s 48km opening stage of the 32nd edition of the Hansa Fish River Canoe Marathon setting up a commanding lead of more than four minutes over the nearest rivals while Abby Adie and Anna Adamová claim the early advantage in the women’s encounter.

With fellow title hopefuls Andy Birkett and Cam Schoeman forced out of the contest after recently crowned Under 23 Flatwater Marathon World Champ, Birkett, failed to overcome flu he picked up earlier in the week, McGregor – himself fresh off claiming his third Flatwater Marathon World Championships title – and his regular K2 partner, van der Walt, overcame a poor start on a choppy and wind-swept Grassridge Dam to claw their way back through the field to claim day one’s spoils.

“I was really impressed with how good we felt together and how well we clicked today considering the last time we were in a boat together was SA Champs,� said McGregor. “I’m really happy to be leading going into tomorrow!�

“Hank (McGregor) drove really well and, other than a bit of bad luck across the dam, it was a pretty faultless day for us,� added van der Walt.

“Last weekend’s (Marathon) World Champs was obviously the focus for both of us but now that that is behind us its great to be back and having some fun on the river!�

With a howling early morning wind creating large waves at the 82km race’s starting point, many crews – McGregor and van der Walt included – were caught unawares as they set off across the dam without their splash covers in place.

Being horribly exposed to the elements resulted in numerous top pairs take on large volumes of water meters from the start line and having to work twice as hard to not only pump the excess water out but just to stay afloat as well, some boats even having to be rescued by the lifeguards on hand. The fancied international crew of Thomas slovak and Tobias Bong were the biggest casualty on the dam, and fell to last place in the seeded A batch by the time they reached the dam wall portage.

“We pretty much sank going across the dam and only got out on the other side in sixteenth position,� explained McGregor. “We ran the portage really hard and managed to put in ninth, overtook a few more before double trouble and then were just 70 meters behind Len (Jenkins) and Greg (Louw) by Toastrack.�

“Once we picked off the front few boats we just had a really solid paddle from Keith’s (Flyover) to the finish and, after looking at the GPS afterwards, we pretty much kept up a similar sort of speed throughout the day which is pleasing.�

With a sizeable buffer over the rest of the field it would appear it is now McGregor and van der Walt’s title to lose, which if they were to avoid would see them claim their fourth consecutive Hansa Fish doubles title and McGregor’s fifth consecutive K2 title at the event as well.

“I think the trick to our success is we just get along really well in the boat and when we get onto the water we just enjoy ourselves and don’t put any pressure on ourselves,� said van der Walt when asked what he believes is the pair’s key success factor.

“We’ll just look to have a good night’s rest now and then not make any mistakes tomorrow,� explained McGregor.

Despite McGregor and van der Walt in indomitable form at the front of the race countless battles of great intrigue continued to unfold behind them throughout the day with the stage’s second place finishers Ben Biggs and Alasdair Glass being one of the day’s hugely popular fairytale performances.

For Biggs the duo’s remarkable achievement, having been given little chance of even claiming a top ten amidst this year’s quality field by many critics, was the best possible birthday present he could ever have asked for as he celebrated his 23rd birthday.

“Never could I have ever imagined this!� exclaimed a beaming Biggs afterwards. “We’ve been going quietly nicely in a couple of races recently but having really got any really exciting results so this really is awesome!�

“We decided to put our splashies on before we even got going on the dam and that really paid off because we just took off compared to many of the others who had taken in water. That meant we had a clear pathway at the take out and along the portage which makes a huge difference and definitely set us up for our second place finish.

“From there we just tried to keep things going and when Hank and Grant came past us just above Keith’s we tried to hang onto their tail for as long as we possibly could and that really helped pull us clear of a lot of the rest of the guys,� explained Biggs.

“Shortly after Katkop (Weir) we went bang though and were really struggling but we managed to pull things together with a few kilometers to go and we were able to pull as bit of a gap over Len and Greg again,� added Glass.

Having used the element of surprise perfectly on day one to overcome some of their bigger named opponents, Biggs and Glass will however go into day two blatantly marked men and will have to put in a performance of similar standards if they are to hold off the challenge of ‘Fisher King’ Jenkins and local powerhouse Louw.

Despite having one eye on chasing down Biggs and Glass, forty-five seconds ahead, Jenkins and Louw will have the other closely on another of day one’s fairytale pairings, Brandon van der Walt and Stu MacLaren who astonishingly came back from last off the dam to finish fourth, just … behind third.

“Having been stone last at the take out (of the dam) we ran easily and then put our heads down, found a rhythm and went for it. We steadily just kept picking guys off through the willows and then flew past a heap of guys after Keith’s,� explained van der Walt, the younger sibling of race leader, Grant.

“Once we caught Lance (Kime) and Bungee (Thulani Mbanjwa) I thought we could the rest a little but then we saw Len and Greg just around the next corner and decided to keep pushing as hard as we could.

“We’re (forty-four seconds) behind Len and Greg so tomorrow is definitely about trying to get third,� he added.

After a frustrating day of admin Tobias Bong of Germany and Tomáš Slovák of the Czech Republic were the first of the truly remarkable number of international crew home at the end of stage one whilst local lad Ivan Kruger and France’s Valentin Henot claimed seventh, Czech Republic’s Jakub Adam and Lukáš Trefil thirteenth, Australia’s Josh Kippin and Simon Roll fifteenth and Czech Republic’s Richard Hala and Jonatan Sramek eighteenth overnight.

“We filled up with so much water on the dam that our pumps weren’t even able to help us empty and if the paddle across the dam had been 100m longer we would have sank,� explained Bong.

“We shot Keith’s no problem, caught up to fifth place and then swam at a little no name rapid which cost us a lot of time.

“At Soutpans Weir we then looked like toppling over and had to eskimo roll back up, which didn’t cost us a lot of time but wasn’t good for our stability.

“It was a bit frustrating today but this is the Fish and we love it so much! We will go as hard as we can tomorrow and if we do that and have a clean run then I will be happy wherever we finish,� he added.

With competition for places rife amongst the ladies crews as well it is Adie and Adamová who find themselves in the driving seats going into day two after they opened up a two minute seventeen second lead over second placed Robyn Kime and Bridgitte Hartley who, frustratingly, suffered a pedal mechanical early on in the clash.

“We got our splashies on early on the dam, had a really good portage around the dam wall and then managed to break away from the rest pretty early on,� explained a visibly happy Adie. “Every portage Robs (Kime) and Bridg (Hartley) closed in on us though so we kept having to work hard to break away again.�

“I’m really chuffed we went so well today though, especially with Anna (Adamová) having hardly paddled in the river for quite a while. We were just so stable!� she added.

Adamová, having recently claimed a silver medal in the K1 and bronze in the K2 Marathon World Champs events, put her good form to great use and was happy with the progress she made as the day went on.

“It was just such a perfect day,� she beamed afterwards. “We weren’t to stable early on but it got better and better with every kilometer and Abby (Adie) just drove so well!�

“It was also great to go past all the places I swam at last year and fell that much better this time,� she chuckled.

In the juniors clash young stars Louis Hattingh and Bryan le Roux narrowly edged out the Wilson twins, Travis and Tyler, to take a one second lead into the second day’s racing. The Michaelhouse duo of Brandon Macleod and Alan Houston are leading the Under 16 race, whilst Epworth duo Jordan and Cana Peek comfortably lead proceedings in the Under 18 girls category.

Despite the late withdrawal of Dominic Notten and Amy Hare, after Hare twisted her ankle two days beforehand, the highly competitive mixed doubles race delivered a day of action aplenty as Andrew and Alex Adie – siblings of women’s leader Abby – raced home ahead of Cape-based surfski stars Tom Schilperoort and Samantha Murray.

In the K3 tussle it was the Theron trio – Jacques, Cobie and Jen – who overcame PinkDrive ambassadors Jody Taylor, Duane Taylor and Matt Elliott by less than a minute making for a fascinating second stage on Saturday.

Stage two of the Hansa Fish River Canoe Marathon from Knutsford to Cradock gets underway at 07h00 on Saturday 28 September. More information can be found at www.fishmarathon.org.za

SUMMARY OF RESULTS – HANSA FISH RIVER CANOE MARATHON
STAGE ONE:

Overall
1. Hank McGregor/Grant Van der Walt 2:46.39
2. Ben Biggs/Alasdair Glass 2:50.48
3. Len Jenkins/Greg Louw 2:51.33
4. Brandon van der Walt/Stuart Maclaren (U23) 2:52.16
5. Tomas Slovak (CZE)/Tobias Bong (GER) 2:52.55
6. Lance Kime/Thulani Mbanjwa 2:53.29
7. Ivan Kruger/Valentin Henot (FRA) (U23) 2:55.12
8. Brett Bartho/Sibonelo Zondi 2:55.23
9. Pierre-Andre Rabie/Clinton Cook 2:55.24
10. Dawid Mocke/Matthew Bouman 2:56.12
11. Gavin White/Louw van Riet 2:57.52
12. Loveday Zondi/Thando Ngamlana 2:58.57
13. Jakub Adam (CZE)/Lukas Trefil (CZE) 2:59.23
14. Gavin Shuter/Murray Starr (U23) 2:59.25
15. Josh Kippin (AUS)/Simon Roll (AUS) 2:59.46
16. Louis Hattingh/Bryan le Roux (U18) 3:00.25
17. Travis Wilson/Tyler Wilson (U18) 3:00.26
18. Richard Hala (CZE)/Jonatán Srámek (CZE) (U23) 3:01.26
19. Jordan Zeelie/Calvin Zeelie (U23) 3:01.26
20. Ryan Louw/Stuart Laing 3:03.38

Women
1. Abby Adie/Anna Adamova (CZE) 3:06.11
2. Robyn Kime/Bridgitte Hartley 3:08.28
3. Danica Bartho/Michelle Burn 3:17.26
4. Jenna Ward/Kerry Segal (U23) 3:17.33
5. Hilary Pitchford/Brittany Pietersen 3:18.47
6. Jordan Peek/Cana Peek (U18) 3:32.17
7. Kirstin Wessels/Janine Linder 3:33.49
8. Kirsten Penderis/Jodi Cleworth 3:34.17
9. Robyn Henderson/Debbie Lewis 3:34.25
10. Kim van Gysen/Kirsten Gelderblom 3:35.22

U23 Men
1. Brandon van der Walt/Stuart Maclaren 2:52.16
2. Ivan Kruger/Valentin Henot (FRA) 2:55.12
3. Gavin Shuter/Murray Starr 2:59.25

U23 Women
1. Jenna Ward/Kerry Segal 3:17.33
2. Candice Murray/Anna Notten 3:38.24
3. Jenna Starr/Julia Trodd 3:51.07

Junior Boys
1. Louis Hattingh/Bryan le Roux 3:00.25
2. Travis Wilson/Tyler Wilson 3:00.26
3. Damon Stamp/Mthobisi Cele 3:07.15

Junior Girls
1.Jordan Peek/Cana Peek 3:32.17

Mixed Doubles
1. Andrew Adie/Alex Adie 3:08.41
2. Tom Schilperoort/Samantha Murray 3:11.37
3. Michael Farringer/Frances Beresford 3:17.58

K3
1. Nicholas Burden/Colin Burden/Paul Burden 3:14.06
2. Jacques Theron/Jen Theron/Cobie Theron 3:14.51
3. Jody Taylor/Duane Taylor/Matt Elliot 3:15.58

Following his third Marathon World Championship title in Copenhagen over the weekend, South Africa’s Hank McGregor will join a horde of world class South African and international paddlers in Cradock for Friday’s opening stage of the two-day 2013 Hansa Fish River Canoe Marathon.

McGregor again showed why he is regarded by many as the best all-round paddler on the globe when he overcame a strong senior men’s K1 field to claim gold for the third time in his career in Copenhagen on Saturday, before heading straight to the airport to return home to focus on his Hansa Fish campaign.

McGregor’s Hansa Fish partner, Grant van der Walt, finished seventh at the World Championships in the K1 race, a result that will give the pair an enormous confidence boost ahead of this year’s Hansa Fish, which they are aiming to win together for a fourth consecutive time.

Under-23 world champion

Triple Dusi Canoe Marathon winner Andy Birkett also enjoyed a golden Danish trip as he narrowly edged out van der Walt’s younger brother, Brandon, to claim the under-23 world title, with Van der Walt making it a South African one-two.

Birkett and his 2013 Hansa Fish partner Cam Schoeman then put in another top performance in the men’s K2 event, powering to fifth place between their fellow South African crew of former marathon world champ Shaun Rubenstein and 2013 surfski world champ Sean Rice, who finished fourth, and the Czech Republic’s Jakub Adam and Michael Odvarko, who claimed sixth position.

Birkett and Schoeman make up one of a trio of pairings labelled this year’s Hansa Fish “big three”, while Van der Walt will pair up with SA sprinter Stuart MacLaren.

Mixed doubles

Rice will be teaming up with his girlfriend, Emily McGrath, in what promises to be a hotly contested mixed doubles category.

Having tackled the Hansa Fish in K1s last year, Adam and Odvarko had their hopes of a 2013 K2 entry dashed recently when Odvarko was forced to withdraw from the trip due to personal reasons.

Adam will, however, still be in action with Czech sprint sensation Lukas Trefil.

Adam’s sister, Anna Adamova, was yet another 2013 Hansa Fish attendee who enjoyed great success in Copenhagen where she claimed the silver medal in the women’s K1 event before racing to third place in the K2 event with partner Lenka Hrochova.

Top women’s teams

Adamova will team up with top SA river marathoner Abby Adie in Cradock as the pair takes on the likes of fellow top female river paddler Robyn Kime and her partner, London Olympic bronze medallist Bridgitte Hartley.

Hartley had an unfortunate experience in Denmark with a rudder mechanical just 500 metres from the starting line ended her and doubles partner Michele Eray’s K2 medal challenge.

Under-18 girls’ sensation Kirsten Flanagan was another of Team South Africa’s standout performers as she bravely battled her way to a memorable silver medal to add to the gold she claimed at the Surfski Worlds in Portugal earlier this year.

K1 entry

Despite this year’s Hansa Fish being a K2 championship year, she has opted to take part individually, even though her recent World Championships effort would have done her chances of securing herself a top partner no harm.

Others South African World Championships’ representatives who will be in action in Cradock include Michelle Burn, Jenna Ward, Kerry Segal and Kenny Rice, while the strong performances by South African masters’ competitors in Copenhagen bodes well for competitive clashes throughout the age groups at this year’s Hansa Fish River Canoe Marathon.

Latest Chevrolet, Opel and Isuzu Models to Star at JIMS

Chevrolet, Opel and Isuzu have pulled out all stops to impress show goers at this year’s Johannesburg International Motor Show. General Motors South Africa (GMSA) will once again have a fully interactive stand in Hall 7, with the latest models from all three of the company’s brands on display.

“In addition to displaying seven of the latest Chevrolet, Opel and Isuzu products available in South Africa we have shipped out some special vehicles from the US and Europe to tantalise Chevrolet and Opel fans at JIMS this year! Isuzu and Chevrolet will also be giving fans the opportunity to experience the KB’s off-road capabilities at the 4×4 track and see some of the accessories and special features the Isuzu brand has to offer,” said GMSA General Manager, Marketing Alastair Ironside.

Chevrolet will showcase five units on the stand including the updated Chevrolet Trailblazer which will be on sale in 2014, and a soon to be launched update to the Chevrolet Cruze Hatch. The main attraction on the Chevrolet stand is likely to be a soon to be launched sporty Hatchback and a high performance sports car. “As has become tradition for Chevrolet at this show we have brought out a very special vehicle which clearly depicts the values encompassed in Chevrolet’s Find New Roads philosophy. Find New Roads is a product led culture within Chevrolet which aims to visibly display the power of ingenuity, underpinned by performance, design and technology. Our show car, which will remain under wraps until the media day on the 17^th, embodies these traits,” says Chevrolet Brand Manager Tim Hendon.

Opel has had a very busy year thus far, having launched six new and updated products in the first nine months of the year. Some of the vehicles launched this year include the classy and elegant Astra sedan, the cool Meriva 1.4 Turbo MPV, the Corsa OPC Nürburgring Edition, the Corsa 1.4 Turbo Enjoy, and the Astra OPC. Fans of the brand will get the opportunity to see the all new Astra Sedan, Corsa Nürburgring Edition which will be on display alongside two extra show vehicles. “Opel has a strong following in South Africa and we are pleased to be able to offer the public some of the most dynamic and sporty cars on South African roads today. We are constantly looking for opportunities to introduce new models which will appeal to our fans and to this end we will be show casing two models which we are considering for this market,” says Christopher Cradock, Opel Brand Manager at GM South Africa.

GMSA has recently launched the 6th generation of the Isuzu KB in South Africa which will be on display at the show. In addition Isuzu has a dedicated area close to the 4×4 track where the brand will showcase some of its special vehicles including accessorised units and the Isuzu monster truck nicknamed Sumo. “Isuzu bakkies fulfil different roles for a variety of customers. At this year’s show we want to demonstrate the vehicle’s ability as an all-rounder that can be used for business, lifestyle and leisure. We have a huge presence at the 4×4 track as well as a display of Isuzu KB bakkies featuring GM approved accessories. Isuzu Off-Road Academy instructors will also be on hand to drive visitors through the 4×4 track for the duration of the show to showcase the vehicle’s off-road capability,” says Isuzu Brand Manager Mlungisi Nonkonyana.

Show goers can look forward to an interactive and entertaining experience and access to this range of stunning vehicles on the GM stand.

September 27 2013 at 04:34pm
By SAPA

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Cradock, Eastern Cape – A 36-year-old man was killed early on Friday morning in an argument in Cookhouse, near Cradock, Eastern Cape police said.

The man and an acquaintance had been drinking together when a quarrel broke out, Warrant Officer Elmarie van Eck said.

One of the men hit the other with a handmade axe handle and a belt.

Van Eck said the 36-year-old died on the scene.

A 38-year-old man was later arrested and would appear in court soon.

Sapa

 

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26 September 2013

After bagging his third Marathon World Championship title in Copenhagen over the weekend, South Africa’s Hank McGregor will join a horde of world-class local and international paddlers in Cradock on Friday for the opening stage of the two-day 2013 Hansa Fish River Canoe Marathon.

McGregor again showed why he is regarded by many as the best all-round
paddler on the globe when he overcame a strong senior men’s K1 field to claim gold
for the third time in his career in Copenhagen on Saturday, before heading straight
to the airport to return home to focus on his Hansa Fish campaign.

McGregor’s Hansa Fish partner, Grant van der Walt, finished seventh at the World
Championships in the K1 race, a result that will give the pair an enormous confidence
boost ahead of this year’s Hansa Fish, which they are aiming to win together for a
fourth consecutive time.

Under-23 world champion

Triple Dusi Canoe
Marathon winner Andy Birkett also enjoyed a golden Danish trip
as he narrowly edged out van der Walt’s younger brother, Brandon, to claim the
under-23 world title, with Van der Walt making it a South African one-two.

Birkett and his 2013 Hansa Fish partner Cam Schoeman then put in another top
performance in the men’s K2 event, powering to fifth place between their fellow
South African crew of former marathon world champ Shaun Rubenstein and 2013
surfski world champ Sean Rice, who finished fourth, and the Czech Republic’s Jakub
Adam and Michael Odvarko, who claimed sixth position.

Birkett and Schoeman make up one of a trio of pairings labelled this year’s Hansa
Fish “big three”, while Van der Walt will pair up with SA sprinter Stuart MacLaren.

Mixed doubles

Rice will be teaming up with his girlfriend, Emily McGrath, in what promises to be
a hotly contested mixed doubles category.

Having tackled the Hansa Fish in K1s
last year, Adam and Odvarko had their
hopes of a 2013 K2 entry dashed recently when Odvarko was forced to withdraw
from the trip due to personal reasons.

Adam will, however, still be in action with Czech sprint sensation Lukas Trefil.

Adam’s sister, Anna Adamova, was yet another 2013 Hansa Fish attendee who
enjoyed great success in Copenhagen where she claimed the silver medal in the
women’s K1 event before racing to third place in the K2 event with partner Lenka
Hrochova.

Top women’s teams

Adamova will team up with top SA river marathoner Abby Adie in Cradock as the
pair takes on the likes of fellow top female river paddler Robyn Kime and her partner,
London Olympic bronze medallist Bridgitte Hartley.

Hartley had an unfortunate experience in Denmark with a rudder mechanical just
500 metres from the starting line ended her and doubles partner Michele Eray’s K2
medal challenge.

Under-18 girls’ sensation
Kirsten Flanagan was another of Team South Africa’s
standout performers as she bravely battled her way to a memorable silver medal to
add to the gold she claimed at the Surfski Worlds in Portugal earlier this year.

K1 entry

Despite this year’s Hansa Fish being a K2 championship year, she has opted to
take part individually, even though her recent World Championships effort would have
done her chances of securing herself a top partner no harm.

Others South African World Championships’ representatives who will be in action
in Cradock include Michelle Burn, Jenna Ward, Kerry Segal and Kenny Rice, while the
strong performances by South African masters’ competitors in Copenhagen bodes
well for competitive clashes throughout the age groups at this year’s Hansa Fish
River Canoe Marathon.

SAinfo reporter