Men can now assist women in Berg
2011-06-09
THE decision to overturn a contentious rule barring female paddlers from getting assistance from male paddlers in the Windhoek Berg River Canoe Marathon has been warmly welcomed by elite and less competitive female canoeists alike. For years the race was hamstrung by national rules dictating that the competitive female race had to be run as an entirely separate class, preventing all female paddlers from riding the slip of male paddlers during the race. Now, under the leadership of André Collins, the race committee has shed this controversial rule. The rule alienated many top female paddlers, and made it an unattractive prospect for a social female paddler to complete 240 km of river paddling without any assistance on the river from the male athletes of similar ability. Coupled with the decision to offer the same prize money to the winner of the women’s race as the men’s winner will receive, the about-turn has been warmly hailed in domestic canoeing circles. “This is good news,” said defending champion Robyn Kime, setting out to clinch a hat-trick of wins in the women’s race. “The rules are clear and the same as the main race, which is much better than before. This is a much better rule than being asked to race a separate race.” Although Kime has only raced two Bergs, she has plenty of experience of the hardships associated with separating the women’s race from the main event. “It could get very frustrating,” said Kime. “Male paddlers around you were allowed to ride your wave, but when you caught some-one you had to paddle to the other side of the river to avoid being accused of riding their wave.” “I am thrilled to see the leadership of canoeing in the Cape using the occasion of the 50th anniversary of this race to take it into a new era rather than dwell on its past,” said Beijing Olympian, Michéle Eray, who has confirmed her plans to be on the start line. The new rules bring substantially more equality to the female competitors in the race, while at the same time ensuring the possibility of interference in the women’s race is minimised. According to the rules published on the race website, the women will start in their own batch on each of the four days of the race, shortly after the elite men have been set on their way, allowing them to settle into bunches with male paddlers of similar speed and ability and to work together with them in tactics typical of the Windhoek Berg. Kime is adamant that the new rules will be embraced by the male and female paddlers, but stressed that it is critical for every male paddler in the race to fully understand the women’s race rules. “Every male paddler must be briefed on the women’s race rules so that they understand what is allowed and what is not allowed,” said Kime. “That way they can also help to police the rules.” Kime will start with the yellow jersey, with the added privilege of lining up one boatlength in front of the row of seeded paddlers at the start in Paarl on Wednesday 13 July.
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