Underberg – When Ant Stott lines up for the start of the 2013 N3TC Drak Challenge, it will be as the man who has the most Drak titles to his name, having claimed six titles in 18 outings.
Stott was the last person to win the race before Hank McGregor began his three-year winning streak in 2010, so with McGregor out of the running due to racing in Perth, can he add another victory to his list?
Although he is well known for underplaying his chances, Stott doesn’t believe he has another Drak victory in the tank.
“No, I don’t think I can win it. I have been recovering from an Achilles injury, and working full time, so I just don’t have the time to train properly.
“Paddling three times a week to Footbridge and back is just not enough. My strength this Drak is that I am going to have a fresh body, but being undertrained is also going to be my weakness.”
While Stott downplays his own chances, he is fast to put a positive spin on it.
“There is such a strong men’s field for the 2013 Drak, even with the absence of Hank (McGregor). I don’t even put myself in contention for top five.
“I think the top three will be a four way battle between Len (Jenkins), Andy (Birkett), Grant (van der Walt) and Cam Schoeman.”
The N3TC Drak Challenge 2013 starts on January 19 at Castleburn outside Underberg and finishes on January 20 at Hopewell Farm close to Coleford.
