Ward targets Fish podium
FRESHLY back in South Africa and buoyed by her K2 women’s silver medal at the Canoe Marathon World Championships in Brandenburg, Germany, Jenna Ward is eager to take that confidence into the Fish River Canoe Marathon.
In the K1 race the Durbanbased star had hoped to finish two steps higher on the podium in Germany.
Despite a brave fight, Ward narrowly missed out on a K1 medal, though, finishing fourth overall. But she refocused her energies on her K2 assault with teammate and junior sensation Kyeta Purchase, a race in which they finished second behind marathon legend Renata Csay and her Hungarian partner Alexandra Bara.
“Our K2 race at Worlds is definitely the highlight of my career so far,” said Ward.
“It was the race of both Kyeta and my life and a moment I will never ever forget.
“Just last year I had a photo taken with Renata and suddenly this year there we were, competing side by side with her and only losing out in the end sprint. It was absolutely incredible.”
The Fish is the next assignment looming large on Ward’s horizon. Having notched up two third-place finishes (2013 and 2014) and three fourths (2011, 2012, 2015) at the past five Fishes, the talented paddler is again eager to challenge for a place on the podium.
“I’ve got to get back into my river boat now and try make the adjustment back into river racing as quickly as possible,” she said. “Although Fish is also such a great, fun race, I’m definitely going there to give it my all. Hopefully I can stay in my boat and push hard to at least finish on the podium.”
Despite four-time race winner Abby Solms admitting she has not spent as much time in the boat this year as she normally does in the build-up to Fish, Ward believes the standout paddler in women’s canoeing in South Africa for the past three years will be a force to be reckoned with once more.
The Hansa Fish River Canoe Marathon will take place from Grassridge Dam to Cradock Sports Complex on October 7 and 8.
More information can be found online at www.fishmarathon.org.za.