Robyn Kime in action at the Pines nasty rapids on the first day of the Global Trader Drakensberg Challenge. The nineteen year old student is eager to erase memories of mishap-riddled challenges in previous years at the race on 27 and 28 February. (Jon Vellacot/ Gameplan media)

Underberg - Recently crowned Dusi champion Robyn Kime has lodged her entry for the Global Trader Drakensberg Challenge on 27 and 28 February, and is eager to prove a point over the popular two-day race on the Umzimkulu river.

The 19 year old star has been one of the pacesetters on female river racing over the past few years, but has somehow always come unstuck on the GT Drak Challenge, in the process thwarting her bids to win a title that she covets.

"I have got to try and stay in my boat this year!", she said with her trademark impish chuckle. "I love this race, but the trick is to make no mistakes. That's what gives you a big advantage."

"There are very few people who can get through a whole Drak without making any mistakes whatsoever. That is my goal this year," she added.

Two untimely swims on the second stage derailed her challenge last year when she was locked in a thrilling three way tussle for the women's title until she swam at the Underberg weir and then again at Glenhaven rapid.

This year she will have to get the better of the Eastern Cape wiz Michéle Eray who has confirmed her intentions to be on the startline to defend the title she won last year.

The fact that the event is hosting the SA K1 river champs may attract a number of elite contenders who otherwise might not have entered. But not in the case of Kime.

She is flying back from her Stellenbosch university base specially for the race. "It is my favourite race of the year, so wouldn't miss it for anything," she said.

Kime emerged from the ranks of the Epworth school ranks as a talented junior, and quickly established herself as a ferocious competitor capable of giving the established senior stars a good run for their money.

She teamed up with the "Dusi Queen" Abbey Miedema to totally dominate the women's race in last months Hansa Powerade Dusi marathon, making her one of the youngest winners of the coveted title.

She has won the Berg River Canoe marathon and Swartland marathon on debut, and since moving to Stellenbosch to study engineering she has been the pacesetter in the Western Cape river racing scene.

The Global Trader Drakensberg Challenge takes place in Underberg on 27 and 28 February. More information can be found at www.drak.co.za

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