Hank McGregor crashes through Glenhaven rapid en route to his first ever victory in the Global Trader Drak Challenge. (Jon Vellacot/ Gameplan media)

Underberg - Hank McGregor finally got a monkey off his back when he powered to victory in the Global Trader Drak Challenge canoe marathon, the only major river marathon that he had never won, when he came out tops in a thrilling three boat dice on the 38km final stage.

In the women's race Abby Adie cemented her position as a top senior title contender when she totally dominated against a strong field of talented river racers, in a peerless display of river racing while her challengers faltered around her.

Abby Adie confidently tackles the waves and holes of Glenhaven rapid on Day Two of the Global Trader Drak Challenge. (Jon Vellacot/Gameplan media)

"The two of us just put the hammer down after the weir to get ahead," said McGregor. "We just saw him (Stott) going back and we worked together till the finish." The duo who have paddled together for the past four years managed to lengthen their lead and take advantage of the strength on the flat water after Glenhaven rapid.  "Ant (Stott) was the odd one out but we're thrilled with our results," added McGregor.

McGregor and Van der Walt came in side by side at the final stretch, but McGregor scrapped through to win by a mere three seconds. "At the end of the day I feel like we both won the race," said McGregor. "It came down to the end sprint, but Hank (McGregor) just managed to get ahead of me," said van der Walt.

Stott tried his best to play catch up and close the four and a half minute gap between himself and the leaders but struggled through the flat water around the Underberg Gorge stretch. "I just didn't have enough gas in the tank, and when Hank (McGregor) made his move I just couldn't match him," said Stott.

In the ladies race Epworth old girl Abby Adie took the win "It was long and tough but I felt really strong," said Adie. The twenty year old is the one to watch  and has plans to tackle the Umko canoe marathon in the next few weeks with Hillary Pitchford.

Fellow ex-Epworth pupil Robyn Kime came in second a full five and a half minutes behind the leader, and was followed by popular surfski star Michelle Eder in third.

The first junior spot was claimed by U18 World Marathon champ Brandon van der Walt who came in fourth overall. "It was a bit of a bump and scrap at the start, but as soon as I got going it was great," said Brandon van der Walt. "Jacques Theron and I worked together throughout the race, but overall it was just great!"

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

RESULTS:
GLOBAL TRADER DRAK CHALLENGE: (overall time)

MEN:
1.Hank McGregor 03:39:56
2.Grant van der Walt 03:49:59
3.Ant Stott 03:54:13
4.Brandon van der Walt 03:55:41 - U21
5.Jacques Theron 03:55:42
6.Piers Cruickshanks 03:59:43
7.Michael Mbanjwa 03:59:51
8.Shaun Griffin 04:03:28
9.Mark Mulder 04:03:49
10.Gavin Shuter 04:03:52

WOMEN:
1.Abby Adie 04:21:30
2.Robyn Kime 04:28:47
3.Michelle Eder 04:39:01
4.Debbie Germiquet 04:44:12
5.Alex Adie 04:44:19
6.Angelique Mulder 04:46:45
7.Jenna Ward 04:54:18
8.Brittany Petersen 04:57:58
9.Antje Manfroni 05:02:01
10.Caitlin Millar 05:03:12

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