Latest news with #HankMcGregor
The South African
03-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
BREAKING: Kaizer Chiefs unveil Thabiso Monyane!
Skip to content Kaizer Chiefs Sporting Director Kaizer Motaung JR at the FNB Stadium. Image: @kaizerchiefs/X ← Hank McGregor paddles to massive Berg River Canoe Marathon lead ← US redraws Africa policy map, what's in it for African leaders?
The South African
03-07-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Hank McGregor paddles to massive Berg River Canoe Marathon lead
As Hank McGregor built an almost unassailable lead on Day 2 of the Berg River Canoe Marathon on Thursday, Jenna Nisbet was capitalising on a 'lucky mistake' to take control of the women's race. Thirteen-time winner Hank McGregor added to his already big overnight lead on the shortened 30km stage from Gouda to Bridgetown, and now enjoys a daunting advantage of just under 10 minutes over young U23 Sam Butcher. Robert Herreveld and Siseko Ntondini are nine and 35 seconds further back, respectively, with Friday's long 76km queen stage to Zoutkloof looming. The race for the top five was switched around with 2024 winner Thomas Lovemore catching and passing Anders Hart to take over fifth, while Paul Marais is not too far off the pace in sixth. Stage 2 was shortened due to safety concerns and fears that the loss of the tricky 16km stretch from Zonquasdrift to Gouda would nullify the racing, were proved wrong. This was particularly true in the women's race, where Jenna Nisbet made what she initially thought was a disastrous error, that could turn out to be an unexpected race-winning mistake. After starting a handful of seconds behind overnight leader Nix Birkett, the pair settled into a group with some male paddlers and all was calm initially. 'We started in a nice group of five, but at the first rapid, which was about five kilometres into the race, I spun out and someone went over me,' said Nisbet, a two-time race winner in 2013 and 2022. 'I thought it was the end of the race when I lost contact with Nikki and the other part of the group. 'Thankfully I was with a guy named John (de Villiers), who knows the river very well … and it actually worked in our favour that we both lost contact with the group, because he had some unbelievable knowledge of the river and took us down some channels which definitely paid off. 'I never saw Nix again until the end. I think she must have got a bit lost or stuck in a tree or something and I passed her without seeing her. 'I was happy to have had a clean day and to have been able to follow John down some good lines and conserve energy as much as possible, because tomorrow is a big day. Even though I have a nice lead over Nix, that can disappear very quickly over 76km tomorrow. 'Tomorrow (Friday) I am definitely just going to do my best to hang on to her, but she is super strong on the flats and I know she's gonna be going hard tomorrow – so it's going be a very tough day, I think.' Nisbet is now eight minutes ahead of Birkett, with Neriyah Dill third, three minutes further back. Bianca Beavitt and Rachel van Deventer complete the top five. Meanwhile, good news for those watching the progress of 'Oom' Jannie Malherbe were happy to see him finish Day 2, and the three-time race winner is still on his way to becoming the only person to complete a remarkable 52 Berg River Canoe Marathons. All paddlers start together on Friday with the 76km paddle to Zoutkloof, the traditional race decider – although this year the short 30km blast seems to have sorted the top step of the podium in both the women's and men's races. Under overall position, name, overall time, day 1, day 2 1. Hank McGregor 6:18:59 (4:14:44, 2:04:14)2. Sam Butcher 6:28:22 (4:20:26, 2:07:55)3. Robert Herreveld 6:28:31 (4:20:25, 2:08:05)4. Siseko Ntondini 6:28:58 (4:20:27, 2:08:31)5. Thomas Lovemore 6:34:11 (4:25:08, 2:09:02)6. Anders Hart 6:35:07 (4:22:13, 2:12:54)7. Paul Marais 6:35:55 (4:25:09, 2:10:45)8. Matthew Coetzer 6:37:48 (4:29:42, 2:08:06)9. Dyllan Farrell 6:37:49 (4:29:42, 2:08:06) 10. Heinrich Schloms 6:38:31 (4:27:48, 2:10:42)
The Citizen
14-05-2025
- Climate
- The Citizen
Ballito paddlers dominate Engen Ballito Downwind challenge
Ballito's Hank McGregor led a dominant North Coast performance at the Engen Ballito Downwind, storming to victory in challenging open-ocean conditions on Sunday. Last month's 18.5km race was postponed due to poor conditions, but the race went ahead on Mother's Day. North Coast paddlers dominated last year's event, and it was more of the same this year. The Tiffany's to Blythedale Beach race saw three North Coast surf skiers take top honours in the four race categories. Ballito's Hank McGregor (1:03:57) and Brent Chiazarri (1:07:08) finished first and third respectively in a top-class men's field. Umhlanga's Michelle Burn (1.12.22) won the ladies' race, with Saskia Hockly, from Umdloti (1.14.34), in second. Hockly also finished top in the U23 division, while Tinley Manor resident, Ty Heyns (1.16.33), took second in the Men's U23. Ballito's Keegan Vogt (1.10.17) took top spot in the Juniors division. This was the final event of the inaugural Paddle Fest – organised by South Africa Surf Ski. Despite some rough seas, race director, Barry Lewin, said it was perfect for racing. 'The Engen Ballito Downwind was treated to sublime open ocean conditions between Tiffany's and Blythedale Beach. The surf, while challenging, wasn't too difficult,' said Lewin. Eleven-time World Canoe Senior Marathon Champion, McGregor, enjoyed the race and the conditions. He praised timing of the race. 'It was a great launch that was timed right with the weather. The organisers waited long enough for a great downwind, but it wasn't too out of control. It was a fantastic wind that was super fast,' he said. Burn, was 'very stoked' the race went ahead. 'I've been looking forward to racing on the North Coast and it didn't disappoint!' she said. 'There was a wonderful wave to navigate at the start and finish – it was a proper taste of surfski which we haven't had for a very long time so I'm glad that this race is on the calendar. The entire race was great; it was a good distance – not too long and you don't get too tired. Everyone had a good time.' Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
