Tuesday, 13 December 2011 18:04
I will be back - Stott
Six times champ Ant Stott has vowed to be on the start line of the Global Trader Drak Challenge, despite his dramatic withdrawal from The Unlimited Dusi due to a niggling and painful Achilles tendon injury.
The popular Drak icon, who has won the race more than any other paddler, and has completed 12 Drak Challenges, said he would find it very difficult not to be part of the race that he loves, even if he is some way off his prime fitness.
“I will definitely be there but I really don’t know how fit I will be and how competitive I will be on race day,” said Stott. “I have had an extended layoff and not paddled for three weeks, which apart from being very frustrating is also not great preparation for the Drak which is right on top of us now.”
Stott hurt the Achilles tendon at the SA marathon champs and his determination to post a good result at the world marathon champs with Graeme Solomon saw him train and race through a lot of pain in the tendon.
Since then Stott has had a battery of tests done on the troublesome Achilles, which has stubbornly refused to respond to all the treatment and expert opinion.
“It has been an unbelievably frustrating month,” said Stott. “It was hard to have to kiss my Dusi plans goodbye, but I really want to be on the start line for the Drak on 21 January.”
No matter what shape he is in Stott will be welcomed as a legendary figure in the short history of the GT Drak Challenge, not only as a paddler who has triumphed in the two-day 70km race more than any other, but as a paddler who has selflessly coached and advised countless novices on the intricacies of the Drak course.
The Global Trader Drak Challenge takes place in Underberg on 21 and 22 January 2012. More information can be found at www.drak.co.za
Add comment
