Liffey K1 victor off to South Africa

The enticing prospect of an all-expenses-paid invitation to a big South African race for the winner of the K1 class gives the Jameson Liffey Descent on Saturday an extra edge this year.

The organisers of the two-day Hansa Fish Marathon will give Saturday's winner this gilt-edged invitation to their two-day race on October 5th and 6th.

In return, the winner of the South African race will compete here next year.

The two races may soon also be linked in a World Grand Prix arrangement with the Avon Descent in Australia and the Sella race in Spain, two of the other big events in this discipline.

Gary Mawer, who was fourth at the recent World Marathon Championships in Stockton-on-Tees, will fancy his chances of landing the trip - although, ironically, some of his biggest rivals in this class will be South Africans, who come in huge numbers every year to the Liffey Descent.

Mawer (30), who represented Ireland at the Olympics in Sydney last year, has a World Cup victory under his belt this year. His main rivals may be reigning champion Graham O'Regan, who is now based in England, and South African Mark Hutson.

The K1 is but one class in what is a huge participation event, with around 1,000 craft negotiating some frightening weirs.

One of the most impressive records in Irish sport is surely that of Michelle Barry in the women's K1: the Kildare woman is looking to win her 10th successive title, and 12th in total.

Eileen Murphy, a Masters winner in Stockton-on-Tees, will aim to break the run.

The event begins at 12.30 at Straffan in Co Kildare, and the start can be both chaotic and spectacular.