McGregor Paddle Series

Winners of the country competition at the

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Anthony Grote Photography - www.anthonygrote.com

McGregor series ends on a high at Camps Drift

Pietermaritzburg - With the ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships just a week away, paddling fever gripped the Camps Drift venue on Friday evening when another massive field took part on the series-ending race of the Euro Steel McGregor Paddle Series.

In a race that focussed on competitive K2 racing, McGregor himself raced in a K1 and finished a modest fifth in a contest that was dictated, appropriately, by some of the sports rising stars.

Juniors Hamish Lovemore and Callum Davis claimed the tense overall victory, edging out Tom Lovemore and Bryan le Roux, with teenagers Hamish Lovemore and David Evans right in the mix in third.

The on-form women's crew of Michelle Burn and Hayley Nixon had the perfect dress rehearsal for their world title bid next Sunday by posting an emphatic win in the women's race, with fellow Team SA racers Jenna Ward and Nikki Russell second, and making the most of the competitive outing on the Camps Drift course.

The popular short course option was also very well supported, despite the chilly and blustery conditions, where youngster Fanele Mkhunya posted an impressive victory, as did Jessica Erasmus in the girls division.

"It is just fantastic to paddle past the youngsters in their Guppies and to hear them call my name. I really believe that there is another world champion on the water amongst these guys and girls," said McGregor.

"The series was all about putting something back into the sport, and creating opportunities to get more youngsters paddling and inspiring them to progress in the sport," he added.

The race was supported by a number of international paddlers keen to test the Camps Drift layout before their races in the Masters Cup and the World Champs proper next week.

"It was surreal paddling with such a big field on the course that I will be racing the worlds in a few days' time. There is such a great vibe at Camps Drift right now," said McGregor.

More information can be found at www.mcgregorpaddleseries.co.za

SUMMARY OF RESULTS - RACE FIVE MCGREGOR PADDLE SERIES, The Euro Steel Camps Drift Race
1 Callam Davis/Hamish Lovemore 0:31:28.18
2 Thomas Lovemore/Bryan Leroux 0:31:31.98
3 Hamish Mackenzie/David Evans 0:31:45.10
4 Thulani Mbanjwa/Banesti Nkhoesa 0:32:18.96
5 Hank McGregor 0:32:53.98
6 Msawenkosi Mtolo/Mmeli Cele 0:33:26.73
7 Mthobisi Cele/Khumbulani Nzimande 0:33:33.95
8 Mpilo Zondi/Mvelo Ngidi 0:33:38.03
9 Hayley Nixon/Michelle Burn 0:33:52.63
10 Minenhle Mbhele/Sandile Mtolo 0:33:54.63
11 Siyanda Gwamanda/Phineas Zulu 0:34:07.97
12 Murray Starr/Tyron Maher 0:34:38.30
13 Bradley Boulle/Don Wewege 0:35:03.19
14 Jabulani Gwamanda/Nkosikhona Mabaso 0:35:03.75
15 Thembinkosi Ngcobo/Bongani Ntinga 0:35:21.07
16 Julian Carbier 0:35:27.01
17 Skhumbuzo Ngidi/Nhlanhlayakhe Cele 0:35:28.72
18 Jenna Ward/Nikki Russell 0:35:32.40
19 Emanuel Zaloumis 0:36:46.79
20 Xolile Kondile 0:36:47.78
21 Christie Mackenzie/Sabina Lawrie 0:36:48.99
Women
1 Hayley Nixon/Michelle Burn 0:33:52.63
2 Jenna Ward/Nikki Russell 0:35:32.40
3 Christie Mackenzie/Sabina Lawrie 0:36:48.99
Short Course
1 Fanele Mkhunya 23:54.36
2 Seluleko Gcwensa 24:02.69
3 Kevin Khanyile 24:06.34
4 Jessica Erasmus 24:31.26
5 Malwande Nxumalo 24:35.32
6 Smilo Mthethwa 24:59.94
7 Stephanie Erasmus 25:41.78
8 Dylan Barber 25:57.42
9 Sbusiso Bhengu 26:09.46
10 Luke O'Connor 26:10.46

Thanks to Graham Daniel! The that single-handedly manages the entire Euro Steel Sport Team! Without him, we would not have these incredible images which are so inspiring! In addition to taking pics, Graham does so much more behind the scenes stuff which all contribute to showcasing the Team!! Thanks Graham for being at all of our races, you are a true legend!!

Over 200 paddlers joined in the fun the final McGregor Paddle Series on Camps Drift, in the final preparation for the big showdown, World Marathon Championships

All the Race 5 results are available on the website now : http://mcgregorpaddleseries.co.za/results-race-5/

Due to the 2017 UCI Para-cycling Road World Championships Road Race, there will be road closures around Camps Drift, please use the entrance on the Makro side as the following roads will be closed.

Park Drive
College Road
Topham Road
French Road
Alexandra Road
Chief Albert Lethuli Street

Thanks for being part of the Euro Steel McGregor Paddle Series!
Tonight is the last race & we really hope to see you for final prize giving & Friday fun at Natal Canoe Club

Calling all INTERNATIONAL PADDLERS that are in South Africa for the ICF World Marathon Champs 2017!!!

Hank McGregor would like to invite you to join us for our final race in the 2017 McGregor Paddle Series happening tomorrow, Friday 1 September at Natal Canoe Club!

CASH prize money for will go to K2s across all the categories!

And if that isn't enough, all participants will receive a FREE WORS ROLL thanks to the legends at Parklane Superspar

All of this for just 20 bucks!!!! Bring down your friends and family for a great way to kick off your weekend!

Registration opens at 16:00, Race start is at 17:15 from Natal Canoe Club

Join us for he final race of the 2017 Euro Steel Sport McGregor Paddle Series, THIS FRIDAY at Natal Canoe Club! Registration opens at 16:00, race starts at 17:15. R20 per paddler.

With the ICF World Marathon Champs 2017 kicking off next Monday, this is your last opportunity to race on the course as well as alongside former World Marathon Champion medallists! The course is looking impeccable and is ready to host the Worlds Best!

We are anticipating some classy crew's to be out on the water as some of the international athletes start arriving for Worlds. Prizes will be going to DOUBLES!!

See you on Friday!! You don't want to miss this one!

Photography by Anthony Grote Photography - www.anthonygrote.com

Marathon lovers flock to McGregor Series race four

Durban - The 2017 Euro Steel McGregor Paddle Series returned to its Blue Lagoon home base on Friday evening as Race Four, the Bidvest McCarthy Toyota Durban North Race, once again saw plenty of enthusiastic paddlers of all ages take on one of the two distances.

A friendly, welcoming vibe has been the cornerstone of the second year of the series and with an eye on introducing people to the sport of canoeing the focus on guppies at race four was the best place to start.

Last weeks’ event in Pietermaritzburg attracted over 70 guppies to the short 4km course and this week organisers saw a similar number of young, junior paddlers take to the water where they could see the world champion Hank McGregor himself in action.

Series founder McGregor has been at the top end of marathon racing for over a decade and to have the opportunity to pass on his knowledge to younger paddlers and to see the interest in paddling growing makes it worthwhile for him.

"The main rule of the McGregor Series is that guppies have right of way," mentioned the eight-time world champion.

"To see so many young kids come and take on the race tonight is awesome and its humbling that we have been able to take our sport to some people that might not have experienced it before.

"The youngsters are the future of paddling and if I can help them and give them a platform to kick on from then I am happy because that is what the series is all about."

With the 2017 ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships just two weeks' away and paddlers starting to wind their preparations down as they converge on Camps Drift in Pietermaritzburg, the McGregor Series gives paddlers a brief sense of the meaning of marathon paddling.

Although the event is only staged over eight kilometres, the tactics and fundamentals are the same and having paddlers racing in marathon conditions can only be beneficial to South African paddling.

"We had one or two of the international paddlers out here this evening ahead of worlds and they thought that it was chaotic racing but I said to them that that is what racing at a world championships is going to be like so they better get used to it!" he added.

From a racing perspective it was Hank McGregor who claimed his second victory in as many weeks ahead of the young Lovemore brothers with the younger Hamish beating Tom to second place.

In the ladies race the K2 of Jenna Ward and Nikki Russell were the strongest with the young Christie Mackenzie finishing as the first ladies K1 home followed by Sweden's Emma Anderson.

The shorter 4km course was won by Bryan and Luke Taylor with Lee McGregor and Lorna Oliver finishing second ahead of the Furby duo of Lee and son Aiden in third.

Matthew Swemmer won the stand-up paddleboarding section ahead of Jacqueline Lecourt de Billot in second and Brendon Germaine in third place.

The final race of the 2017 Euro Steel McGregor Paddle Series will return to Camps Drift in Pietermaritzburg for the FNB Race next Friday.

More information can be found at www.mcgregorpaddleseries.co.za

SUMMARY OF RESULTS - RACE FOUR MCGREGOR PADDLE SERIES, The Bidvest McCarthy Toyota Durban North Race

Overall
1.Hank McGregor 34:43.05
2.Hamish Lovemore 35:05.49
3.Thomas Lovemore 35:13.38
4.Gene Prato/Luke Nisbet 35:28.74
5.Stewart Little 35:35.71
6.Hamish Mackenzie 35:52.79
7.Banetse Nkhoesa 36:22.79
8.David Evans 36:25.46
9.Callam Davis 36:26.46
10.Mmeli Cele 36:28.35
11.Khumbulani Nzimande 36:34.19
12.Minenhle Mbhele 36:35.97
13.Jenna Ward/Nikki Russell 36:36.99
14.Sbonelo Khwela 36:46.34
15.Mpilo Zondi 37:33.17

Women
1.Jenna Ward/Nikki Russell 36:36.99
2.Christie Mackenzie 39:03.43
3.Emma Anderson (SWE) 39:57.64
4.Sabina Lawrie 40:40.09
5.Kyeta Purchase 41:22.34

SHORT COURSE
1.Bryan Taylor/Luke Taylor 21:17.61
2.Lee McGregor/Lorna Oliver 21:42.36
3.Lee Furby/Aiden Furby 22:05.15
4.Greg Worthington/Natasha Chittenden 22:46.25
5.Thea van der Westhuizen 23:48.03
6.Dillon Ceronio/D Ceronio 23:54.32
7.Lance Howarth/Cameron Howarth 23:56.44
8.James Tutton/Glenda Austin 24:40.32
9.Jessica Erasmus 26:11.28
10.Stephanie Erasmus 26:21.42

SUP - 4KM
1.Matthew Swemmer 25:54.59
2.Jacqueline Lecourt de Billot 28:27.39
3.Brendon Germaine 30:20.57

2017 Euro Steel McGregor Paddle Series:
Race 5: 1 Sept – Euro Steel Race, NCC, Pietermaritzburg