Drama shakes up the leaderboard at Global Trader Drak Challenge

Underberg - A day of high drama on a full Umzimkulu river left the men's title race in the Global Trader Drakensberg Challenge locked in a ferocious three boat tussle, while the defending champion in the women's race Michele Eray crashed out of contention.

At the end of the 28km first stage from Castleburn to Swartberg Road six times winner Ant Stott, under 23 world champ Grant van der Walt and Hank McGregor finished together, setting the stage for a thrilling showdown over the final stage.

Stott dominated the days racing. he led the quality field in the seeded A batch from the start, and Van Der Walt and McGregor were only too happy to follow his well schooled lines through the notorious Valley of a Thousand Rapids.

"The river was at a fantastic full level, and it made for really exciting racing," said McGregor. "Following Ant (Stott) was like being taken on a guided tour of the Gorge!"

The trio completed the stage two and a half minutes clear of veteran Gauteng racer Jacques Theron, and junior Brandon Van Der Walt, who was just shy of breaking the first stage junior boys record set by his brother a few years ago.

Dusi star Michael Mbanjwa was off the pace, suffering from the after-effects of his Dusi and Non-Stop Dusi campaigns, and finished in eighth place.

The women's race is being led by Howick star Abby Adie, with a more than ninety second lead over Robyn Kime at the end of the women's first stage that was laced with drama.

Defending champion Michele Eray tumbled out of contention after a disastrous day compounded by starting feeling off-form. She capsized twenty minutes into the stage in one of the myriad of rapids in the Valley of a Thousand rapids, and in her rush to catch up, she made another mistake above Black Murray that was to rule her out of contention altogether.

Her second swim was far longer and more costly as she lost her paddle, and she lost ten minutes running down the river banks until she found a seconder with a spare paddle.

"I arrived her feeling under prepared, not having time to trip the river, and came unstuck today," said the philosophical Plettenberg Bay Olympian.

Abby Adie took advantage of the opportunity to race away flawlessly to post an almost two minute lead over "Dusi Princess" Robyn Kime.

Kime bid to stay bin contact with the flying Adie was thwarted by problems with her steering. "I worked on my pedals the night before the race, and didn't get it right," said Kime. "It was a novice mistake and made it tricky paddling down the top section."

Epworth schoolgirl Brittany Peterson posted a sub-two hours day, taking control of the junior girls title race. The Under 16 star, who is widely tipped as the next female star paddler, proved to be peerless and is well poised to scoop the girls SA K1 title that is also being decided at this event.

The second stage from Swartberg Road bridge to Early Mists farm close to Coleford contains two major gorges littered with technical rapids, as well as long sections of flatwater.

"It's going to be very tight racing," said Ant Stott. "I predict that the three leaders will get there together, and we will see a sprint for the finish."

"it will all come down to who doesn't make a mistake," said McGregor. "Its going to be a great days racing on the river."