St Francis – The titles at the PW Harvey SA Canoe Marathon Champs were spread evenly among the top protagonists with international stars Hank McGregor, Andy Birkett and Bridgitte Hartley all claiming a win apiece over three days of racing on the St Francis Bay canals.<\/p>\n
Thursday’s opening day indicated it was going to be a weekend of big-name domination as McGregor and Hartley did what was expected and secured the men’s and women’s short-course titles.<\/p>\n
McGregor beat Ulvard Hart into second place with Clinton Cook a distant third, while Hartley used the speed that took her to an Olympic medal to beat Nix Birkett, Kira Bester and Jade Wilson to the line in the women’s race.<\/p>\n
In Saturday’s much-anticipated Long Course K1 event, current World Marathon Champion Andy Birkett gave a masterclass and showed why he has won multiple world marathon titles. The East London-based international star edged out Hamish Lovemore for a 14-second win in the men’s race, with Hart and McGregor finishing third and fourth after losing contact with the two leaders.<\/p>\n
In a tightly-contested women’s K1 race, under 23 paddler Wilson outsprinted her older rivals Christie Mackenzie and Nix Birkett in a tense three-way battle for the title.<\/p>\n
The final day’s action on Sunday, saw the K2 combinations take centre stage and the duo of Lovemore and Clint Cook were able to break away and hold on for a big win over Hank McGregor and Mark Keeling to take the South African men’s title, with Wayne Jacobs and Brad Boulle completing the podium.<\/p>\n
In the women’s doubles race, Saskia Hockly and Michelle Burn claimed the gold medals ahead of Nix Birkett and Wilson, with Hartley and Pippa McGregor earning themselves a place on the final step of the podium.<\/p>\n
Photo: Andy Birkett celebrates winning another SA K1 title in St Francis Bay on Saturday. (James Gibbs Photography)<\/p>\n
Selected Results
\nDay 1: Short Course
\nMen
\n1 Hank McGregor 21:27
\n2 Ulvard Hart 21:32
\n3 Clinton Cook 22:06
\n4 Mark Keeling 22:09
\n5 Joshua Fenn 22:13
\nWomen
\n1 Bridgitte Hartley 24:39
\n2 Nix Birkett 24:40
\n3 Kira Bester 24:42
\n4 Jade Wilson 24:43
\n5 Pippa McGregor 27:04<\/p>\n
Day 2: K1 Long Course
\nMen
\n1 Andy Birkett 2:23:33
\n2 Hamish Lovemore 2:23:47
\n3 Ulvard Hart 2:26:40
\n4 Hank McGregor 2: 26:43
\n5 Matthew Fenn 2:27:43
\nWomen
\n1 Jade Wilson 2:18:55
\n2 Christie Mackenzie 2:18:56
\n3 Nix Birkett 2:18:57
\n4 Kira Bester 2:19:37
\n5 Nosipho Mthembu 2:47:39<\/p>\n
Day 3: K2 Long Course
\nMen
\n1. Hamish Lovemore \/ Clint Cook 2:16:01
\n2. Hank McGregor \/ Mark Keeling 2:21:07
\n3. Wayne Jacobs \/ Brad Boulle 2:21:14
\nWomen
\n1. Saskia Hockly \/ Michelle Burn 2:09:40
\n2. Nix Birkett \/ Jade Wilson 2:11:38
\n3. Bridgitte Hartley \/ Pippa McGregor 2:16:40<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"