The Land Rover 50- miler rounded off a hard week of training for my ‘Change a life’ squad. For some it was the first river trip of the year due to Triple Challenge focus and lack of recent rains. The generous water release from Henley Dam and the cloudy/misty weather made for perfect racing conditions for all.

DAY 1: Tom and Nkosi were the first of the guys through Finger Neck rapid, gallantly balancing their new Venom Eagle with Eric and Skhumbuso hot on their heels. Surprisingly no swims for any of the valley boys at this notorious rapid, with Richard cunningly sneaking down the right avoiding the monster hole.

Kwanda and Lance were well back from their slower right hand channel manoeuvre at Mission, but looked good punching through the teeth at Finger Neck. From some skillfull driving, they advanced through the field to get into the top 8 before half-way.

Ant/Bungi led the front three boats through Bells Rapid, with Jacque/Piers getting knocked off-line by an invisible rock, while Andrew/Jason opted for the more conservative left line. Eric/Skhumbuso were the first ‘Change a life’ boat past Bells but made some rooky mistakes through Confluence which knocked them out the top 10. Unfortunately for Lucas/John, the back foot rest became detached so with no pumps had to stop continuously to empty.

Leaders Ant/Bungi portaged Gauging Weir, while Andrew/Jason shot it closing the gap to 20sec. 3min later Jacque/Piers appeared around the corner but were forced to portage Gauging with their damaged craft.

 

DAY 2: Crews 3^rd to 6^th positions started together on the dam in elapsed time. Kwanda/Lance put in first in this group after the short portage across the dam wall, with all crews opting not to shoot Tops Rapid. A small mistake for them in Side-Shoots, otherwise everything went smoothly. Jacque/Piers got away by shooting Island One and Two while the rest of the group portaged. Kwanda/Lance quick portage at Pump House secured them their 4^th place overall and 1^st U/18. Mango was easy going right of the pillar. Eric/Skhumbuso finished 9^th - 2^nd U/21 and Tom/Nkosi, 17^th - 3^rd U/21.

Juniors, Zamo/Mmeli and Sboniso/Scelo, broke their boats at Pearl Harbour, the last obstacle before 2^nd Saddles take-out, ending the race for Zamo/Mmeli.

MEN: 1st - Ant/Bungi, 2nd - Andrew Birkett/Jason Graham, 3rd - Jacques/Piers.

The women’s race was a Cat & Mouse affair throughout the two days between the two lead boats. With a B batch boat interferring with Abbey/Robyn’s end of Day 1, costing them 50sec. Hilary/Jen very sporting said they could start with them on Day 2. Hilary/Jen swam at Island 2 and a strong portage from Abbey/Robyn at the Pumphouse Weir sealed the victory for them.

WOMEN: 1st - Abbey/Robyn, 2nd - Hilary/Jen, 3rd - Abie Adie/Lindi Harmse

NEDBANK GOLF CHALLENGE

The pressure I felt when having to put the first letter of each eighteen competitors’ names in alphabetical order at the finals of the Land Rover G4 Challenge, surely can’t be near as much as having to                     putt for $1 200 000.

I was extremely privileged to witness the tension in the packed 18^th hole grandstand at the Nedbank Golf Challenge yesterday. Having watched some incredible play (and some not so superb or ‘unlucky’ shots), it came down to a nail-biting 3rd-hole play-off between Stenson (Swedish defending champ) and ‘Aussie’ Allenby… damn Aussies.

I couldn’t resist doing the Schoolboy thing - Note the winner’s signature

 

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