Ref. 1969, it was in fact Martin Kennedy who was the fastest Irish in this race, and was presented with a SAfrican singlet for his achievement by the SA team. And also the trophy from the ICU.

I myself won the Riba De Sella race in Spain that year, in the ladies KI - incidiently I was the only paddler wearing a life jacket, luckily for me as at the start of the Sella Descent it was always chaotic, with paddles flying everywhere. In fact I went over the first weir backwards. I never saw another lady paddler for the whole race and it was only when I hit the finishing like that I knew I had won.

I travell with martin and also the boys from the North, in Joe Farleys mini bus. On steep hills I was allowed to stay on board, whilst all the boys walked!!!! We had to cut a hole in the doors to allow air flow - no air conditioning.