Record purse for 2011 Berg
2011-06-02
THE Windhoek Berg River Canoe Marathon has become the richest purse in South African canoeing as the race gears up to celebrate its fiftieth anniversary from 13 to 16 July, and now also offers equal prize money to men’s and women’s race winners. As part of the drive to commemorate the fiftieth race, prize money has been racked up in most categories, and in particular in the team competition, where a record R120 000 has been allocated in prize money, with R60 000 being shared by the winning four-paddler team. Daily stage prizes of R5000 have also been introduced, while the daily bridge prizes have been hiked to a hefty R4000 per day, adding significant spice to each stage’s racing over the four stages between Paarl and Port Owen. The new prize structure means that should one athlete dominate the race and win every stage, the daily bridge prize and the time trial, that athlete will pocket a massive R88 000. The race organisers and sponsors have boldly equalised the prize money for the winners of the men’s and women’s races in a move that is sure to draw enthusiastic approval from the elite female racers, and at the same time fan the flames of the age-old debate on the appropriate split in prize money between men and women. . “Just about everyone who has won the race in the past will be taking part,” defending champion Hank McGregor said.
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