19 July 2004

Jacques Theron wrapped up a rare hat-trick of victories in the Isuzu Berg River Canoe Marathon over the weekend, despite a spectacular final stage charge from world marathon champion Hank McGregor. Abbey Miedema completed a comprehensive victory in the women's race.

McGregor started the final day of the 220 kilometre epic from Paarl to Velddrif three-and-a-half minutes behind Theron. Over the final 40-minute time trial into the finish, he closed down more than two minutes of Theron's lead, but it wasn't quite enough.

Battling the low river conditions that made this year's race a back-breaking endurance test, the top 25 athletes were pulled off the river at Oordraplek, to race the final 10 kilometres into the finish in time trial format after the rest of the final stage had been run in a batch format.

Theron managed to finish the batch sector alongside McGregor, giving him the luxury of a three-and-a-half minute cushion going into the final dash for the line across the tidal lagoon expanses to Velddrif.

Power and speed
McGregor powered across the shallow waters and sandbanks, despite his weight, and in a staggering display of power and speed, sliced more than half the advantage off Theron's lead, but could not stop the Johannesburg paddler from wrapping up the overall victory.

McGregor ended the race with the fastest time over three of the four stages, but Theron's first day margin paved the way for his triumph. Graeme Solomon wrapped up third place, some way off the pace set by Theron and McGregor.

"I am really, really thrilled", said Theron. "It was an awesome race. Not only was it one of the most competitive races in many years, but the sportsmanship was outstanding. There is no doubt that the low water condition suited me, as both Hank McGregor and Graeme Solomon are heavier paddlers", he added.

"On the final stage I paddled conservatively, and took all the deepest lines, knowing that Hank was going to come at me, which he did. I needed to have a little bit in reserve", Theron said.

'So competitive'
"Paddling has become so competitive in South Africa in the last year", he added. "With the world marathon champion racing alongside top sprinters and ski paddlers, the standard overall has risen sharply."

Victory in the women's race was sweet for Abbey Miedema, who has played the role of bridesmaid in Berg River Canoe Marathon race in recent years.

Miedema's gutsy performance in difficult low river conditions was accentuated by the fact that she broke well clear of all the other female challengers early on in the first day, and paddled much of the race with many of the senior seeded men.

Throughout the race Miedema paddled in the top 20 positions overall, and an overall silver medal was a just reward for her exceptional showing.

Summary Of Results

	Three-time Berg River Canoe Marathon winner Jacques Theron

	Theron takes Berg River 2003 Jenkins, Lombard win Fish 2003 Stott, Dreyer rule Dusi 2004 Chalupskys blitz Kauai relay SA Kings of the Harbour 2004 10 years: a canoeing success Stott, Bruss take Umkomaas 2004

	Canoeing South Africa