Singapore top Asian medal standings at Canoe Marathon Championships

Jonathan Tye (left) and James Webster celebrate their second place finish in the 21.5km 5-lap, 5-portage K2 men’s juniors. The British pair clocked 1:32:47. The event was won by Norwegians Karl Anders Sletsjoe and Joar Thele in 1:32:37. (Photo 10 © Singapore Canoe Federation; courtesy of Ho Shu Fen)

Renata Csay of Hungary porting her canoe during the K1 women seniors race which she eventually won in 2:05:55. She beat a field of 20 in the 6-lap, 6-portage 25.8km race. The Hungarian extended her lead in the third and fourth portages to pull away by 1:40 minutes ahead of closest paddler, Italian Anna Alberti. Said Csay, a mother of two: “This is a very good feeling, it is a hard win for me as I had put in a lot of work in training. Every gold is special since I started international racing in 1998, even this one in Singapore.” (Photo 11 © Singapore Canoe Federation; courtesy of Ho Shu Fen)

Hank McGregor, 33, of South Africa celebrates his 2:16:11, K1 men’s seniors win. The 2003 ICF Canoe Marathon world champion had a commanding lead halfway in the first lap of the 7-lap, 7-portage 30.1km race. McGregor, leading by a minute, erased all chances of the chasing pack comprising of Jose Ramalho (POR), Mate Petrovics (HUN), Ivan Alonso (ESP) and 10-time canoe marathon champion, Manuel Busto (ESP). In a tactical decision, McGregor deliberately slowed down in the fourth lap, allowing Alonso (ESP), Shaun Rubenstein (RSA) and Ramalho (POR) to catch up forming an attacking diamond into the portage. Said McGregor: “This is not too hard for me as we race longer distances of 250km back home in South Africa, compared to this 30.1km race. My first place finish and Shaun Rubenstein’s fourth place is a fantastic result for South Africa.” (Photo 12 © Singapore Canoe Federation; courtesy of Ho Shu Fen)

Attila Gyore and Marton Kover lead the pack in the C2 men’s seniors on October 23rd. The Hungarian pair eventually won the 6-lap, 6-portage 25.8km race in 2:01:57. (Photo 13 © Singapore Canoe Federation; courtesy of Ho Shu Fen)

Renata Csay and Ramona Farkasdi of Hungary are ecstatic after winning the K2 women’s senior race on October 23rd. They won the 6-lap, 6-portage 25.8km race in 2:00:24. (Photo 13 © Singapore Canoe Federation; courtesy of Ho Shu Fen)

Alvaro Fernandez and Walter Bouzan (foreground) of Spain were eventual winners of the K2 men’s seniors race on October 23rd. They clocked 2:05:46 in the 7-lap, 7-portage 30.1km race. (Photo 13 © Singapore Canoe Federation; courtesy of Ho Shu Fen)