Hartley stars at SA Sprint Champs

BRIDGITTE wears her ‘hart’ on her sleave.

Local Olympian canoeist Bridgitte Hartley is well on track to achieve her long term strategy aimed at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, after she dominated with paddle and boat at the South African Sprint Canoeing Championships held over the weekend at Nagle Dam Cato Ridge, KZN.

Bridgitte claimed the Senior Victrix Ludorum title and crown after a weekend filled with victories in all her K1 races.

Hartley also contested in several K2 finals against a field that showed plenty of competitive talent coming through the ranks.

‘I have had a really good build-up season and off-season, in the swimming pool and skiing.

‘I have been working a lot harder in the gym and challenging myself more, so so-far-so-good.

I am really looking forward to the serious racing season,’ said Hartley.

Hartley felt the pressure in the 200m K1 final, when Hungarian ace Timea Paksy increased the heat during the race, pushing her to dig deep.

Paksy has relocated to South African with plans to qualify for the Rio 2016 Games with the team SA.

‘As far as women’s racing in South Africa is concerned, Timea being here is a big boost for the sport,’ said Hartley.

‘It was a great weekend of racing.

‘I was worried that sprints was dying, but the standard of racing, the competitiveness among the juniors and the vibe was fantastic,’ reflected Hartley.

Results – SA Sprint Canoeing Championships, Nagle Dam

Senior Women

1 Bridgitte Hartley KZN 72.5

2 Kerry Segal KZN 48.0

3 Jenna Ward VAR 46.0

4 Brittany Petersen KZN 39.5

5 Esti van Tonder ACA 36.0

6 Tiffany Kruger ACA 32.0

7 Melanie van Niekerk MIL 23.5

8 Hayley Arthur KIN 20.5

9 Timea Paksy ACA 16.0