McGregor and Kime crowned 2012 GT Drak champs
Hank McGregor paddled his way into the history books by becoming the first canoeist to win three back-to-back K1 titles in the Global Trader Drakensberg Challenge, holding off a spirited challenge from Len Jenkins, while Robyn Kime finally bagged the women's title that seemed fated to elude her.

McGregor and Jenkins raced the majority of the 70km of the race side by side, until world marathon champ McGregor powered his way to the front on the final corner to claim his third victory in as many years at the event.

The duo finished the first stage together, with the tussle resumed on day two and it wasn’t long before things turned to into a colossal battle with neither willing to give an inch on the water nor the slightest of psychological advantage.

McGregor and Kime jostle into the lead of GT Drak
Defending champion Hank McGregor and his K2 partner Len Jenkins traded the lead throughout the first stage of the Global Trader Drakensberg Challenge on the low waters of the Umzimkulu River, while Robyn Kime is striving to undo her jinx that has plagued her in the race by grinding out a massive first stage lead.
“There was actually a lot more water than I thought there would be and it actually wasn’t too bad,” said McGregor.

Global Trader Drak Challenge preview
With a new record field assembled and a record prize pot on offer, the Global Trader Drak Challenge in the Southern Drakensberg looks set to be significantly moulded by erratic weather, and the popular two day 70km race from Castleburn through Underberg to Early Mists farm may well be held on low river conditions for the first time since 2007.


Dusi Queen adds her name to GT Drak Challenge women's showdown
Dusi Queen Abbey Ulansky, perhaps still known by her maiden name Abbey Miedema, arrived in Underberg this week and threw her hat into the ring of what is already an intriguing race for the women’s title in the Global Trader Drakensberg Challenge this weekend.


Len Jenkins joins clash of the titans at GT Drak Challenge
When Len Jenkins lodged his late entry at the last possible moment for the weekend’s Global Trader Drak Challenge, he completed a thrilling seeded batch line-up for one of the most prized canoeing titles on the domestic calendar.


Health cloud looms over GT Drak Challenge defending champ
Ladies defending champ Abby Adie has her heart set on claiming a third consecutive victory at this weekend’s Global Trader Drak Challenge however a spate of minor illnesses over the past few days could well impact her title aspirations.


McGregor sets his sights on GT Drak Challenge hat-trick
World marathon champ Hank ‘The Tank’ McGregor rolls into Underberg this weekend relishing the opportunity to become the first person in the history of the hugely popular Global Trader Drak Challenge’s to claim a hat-trick of K1 titles.


Van der Walt seeks elusive K1 title at 2012 GT Drak Challenge
Former Under 23 world champ Grant van der Walt is targeting the Global Trader Drak Challenge next weekend as the ideal opportunity to stamp his authority on singles racing, and feels he has what it takes to stop double defending champion Hank McGregor over the tricky two days and 70km of the race.


Paddlers tackle alien invaders in Global Trader Drak Challenge
The massive field that is scurrying to lodge entries before the closing of normal entries on Wednesday evening has shown overwhelming support for the race committee's war against Wattle trees that have invaded the Umzimkulu river valley in the Southern Drakensberg.


Injured GT Drak icon to make 2012 race
Six times champ Ant Stott has vowed to be on the startline of the Global Trader Drak Challenge, despite his dramatic withdrawal from The Unlimited Dusi due to a niggling and painful Achilles tendon injury.