Author: Drak

Underberg – Into its 27th year, the popular N3TC Drak Challenge canoe marathon in partnership with FNB has been moved two weeks later in the season to 1 and 2 February to take better advantage of the changing weather patterns. The two-day, 75 kilometre classic on the Mzimkhulu River has quickly become one of the…

Early Mist Farm – The record books of the N3TC Drak Challenge in partnership with FNB were re-written on Sunday as Andy Birkett recorded his sixth consecutive title while Abby Solms continued her dominance of the Southern Drakensberg classic by winning an unprecedented eighth Drak crown. The two races couldn’t have been more different with…

The conclusion of day one of the N3TC Drak Challenge, in partnership with FNB, couldn’t have been more different for the men’s and women’s leader boards as Andy Birkett romped home while there is almost nothing separating the top five ladies, despite Jenna Ward taking line honours. On a truncated day due to the current…

A star-studded field laced with world champions will gather in the sleepy Southern Drakensberg town of Underberg this weekend for the 26th edition of the N3TC Drak Challenge canoe marathon in partnership with FNB, to take on an uMzimkhulu River that is running low, thanks to the ‘green drought’ gripping the region. Organisers are preparing…

0 – the number of compulsory portages on the race 1 – the number of international winners of the race – Max Hoff (Germany) in 2007 3 – the number of weirs on the race 3 – the number of athletes to have done the Drak Hat Trick (won three consecutive titles) – Abby Solms,…

As paddlers from every corner of the country prepare for their annual pilgrimage to Underberg for the N3TC Drak Challenge canoe marathon in partnership with FNB, the race’s loyal supporters that start in the privileged Trout Batch are taking stock of the number of races they have completed, and looking to the new batch of…

A fifth in 2017 and a fourth in 2018 shows that young Christie Mackenzie is moving in the right direction at the N3TC Drak Challenge in partnership with FNB, and 2019 could see her push for much higher honours in the two-day race from 19 to 20 January. Euro Steel’s Mackenzie missed out on third…

After winning his first N3TC Drak Challenge, in partnership with FNB title, in 2014, five-time winner Andy Birkett will be eyeing a sixth straight win at the Southern Drakensberg’s premier canoe race from 19-20 January, and a unique place in the race’s history books. In the past five years the race has come down to…

Seasoned Spanish racer Kiko Vega has shaken up the upcoming N3TC Drak Challenge in partnership with FNB by discreetly slipping in an entry for the event on the uMzimkhulu River on 19 and 20 January. Vega, who is a former winner of the fabled Sella Descent in Spain, is no stranger to South African river…