FOR the fourth year in a row, two-time World Canoe Marathon Champion, Hank McGregor (35) from South Africa, has claimed victory of the single kayak category for the 2013 Act-Belong-Commit Avon Descent, completing the 124km two-day white water course in 9:24:38 hours.
Following just three seconds behind was WA's Simon Roll (Bassendean) with 9:24:41 hours, and placing third was another successful local, Josh Kippin (Dianella) with 9:28:43 hours.
Mr McGregor and Roll fought side by side thrilling spectators for the last 24 kilometres, in which long time Avon Descent officials describe as the closest finish in the history of the race.
Taking home first place in the Power Dinghy (10hp Sports) category was Tom Hodgkinson and Dennis Peach with 2:55:02 hours, followed by Scott Goodbody and Darren Green with 2:56:56 hours.
The winner of the inaugural Lisa Lilleyman trophy for the fastest female single paddler was Claire Duncan from Bunbury with 12:09:16 hours.
Stewart Bennett from Tasmania won the inaugural Interstate Challenge with 10:37:25 hours.
Northam's Avon Descent Association chairman, Kevin Harrison said overall the event was a great success and congratulated everyone who was involved in the event.
"The water levels this year were good and competitors have expressed great satisfaction with how everything has ran," Mr Harrison said.
"A massive thank you to all the volunteers and support crews that have helped out over the last two days, without these people the Act-Belong-Commit Avon Descent would not be possible."
Clerk of Course Jim Smith, said it was the best event the Avon Descent has had for the past five or six years.
"The river levels were spot on and the sun was shining all weekend, we really couldn't have planned it better. There were very few competitor withdrawals in comparison to previous years," Mr Smith said.
A field of more than 600 competitors took on the two-day time trial challenge, tackling 124 gruelling kilometres from Northam to Bayswater over fast rapids and long stretches of flat water.
The only major incident during the event was a competitor from Queensland who was transferred by helicopter to hospital yesterday afternoon, but is recovering in a favourable condition.
