South Africa secures two gold medals at ocean racing world championships

South Africa secures double gold at ocean racing world championships

South African canoe ocean racing was vividly demonstrated in Lanzarote, as the nation claimed gold medals in both the men's and women's ICF world championship events. After two previous silver medals, Michelle Burn finally achieved victory in the women's race, while her teammate, Nicolas Notten, added his name to the list of South African men who have won world championship titles, securing a comfortable gold.

Burn's tactical choice to race closer to the shore proved decisive, giving her a clear lead over the USA's Ana Swetish and Spain's Judit Verges Xifra. In the men's event, Notten faced an early challenge from Germany's Gordan Harbrecht but quickly broke away after just two kilometers, establishing an unassailable lead.

The 35-year-old Burn, a silver medalist in 2013 and 2017, expressed her intense desire for gold, having trained rigorously. Travel to Spain was challenging due to Covid-19 restrictions, preventing many leading athletes from attending. Burn employed a "shallow" line, a strategy she felt ultimately paid off, fighting hard despite a reduced international field.

Burn completed the 26.6-kilometer race in 1:42:09, with Swetish finishing in 1:44:09 and Xifra in 1:45:41.

Notten, challenged early by Harbrecht, maintained his lead. He called the win the "ultimate goal," noting "on and off" preparation due to Covid and travel uncertainty. Remaining "optimistic," he felt the course suited him, making the achievement "amazing."

Harbrecht finished second, while South African U23 paddler Ulvard Hart secured the bronze medal.

[go to the magazine: paddleworldwide]

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