"Flash Gordan" looking for a repeat in Durban

DURBAN – The overwhelming theme of the top men in Durban for the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships this weekend is that it will be a tight race, and that message was echoed by German defending champion Gordan Harbrecht as he predicted "many paddlers" could claim his title.

"Flash" Gordan Harbrecht from Germany broke the southern hemisphere stranglehold on the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships and will be hoping for a repeat win this weekend.

The former German sprinter turned ocean paddler has been in South Africa for just over a week, getting used to the surf conditions off Durban and "getting an idea of how everything looks" before defending his title.

"I am feeling good ... this is a very cool place to paddle and the conditions are good," said Harbrecht. "When the wind is blowing it is fun to paddle. It is interesting, but nothing crazy. What is a little bit special is the surf when we are coming in to the shore, because we do not have anything this big.

"But paddling here is pretty cool with dolphins and whales just about every session, so it is a good place to do our sport."

The race routes and final schedule is due to be finalised on Wednesday morning with organisers making the decision depending on predicted surf and weather conditions. The singles race will make use of the best predicted conditions within the three-day race window on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with the mixed doubles race being scheduled on one of the two remaining days.

Known as "Flash Gordan" due to his speed from his sprint kayak days, Harbrecht broke the stranglehold of Australia and South Africa last year when he became the first European to win a senior surfski World Championship title. He led home three-time champion Cory Hill from Australia and then a quartet of South Africans – Hank McGregor, U23 winner Matt Fenn, and former winners Kenny Rice and Nic Notten.

The 39-year-old German expects the southern hemisphere paddlers to once again be his biggest challengers, but also added a warning the Europeans cannot be discounted.

"There are many paddlers I need to keep an eye on in the race I think," said Harbrecht on Tuesday. "But I think Cory and Hank and me have been on the podiums in recent races and I think they will be my strongest competitors."

"Cory is always strong and Hank is on his home turf ... and then there is Kenny Rice and Nic Notten ... and many more South Africans. But we also have Pierre Vilella from France and Walter Bouzan from Spain ... so I think it will be pretty interesting to see the top 10."