ELITE RACE
Kinghorn eager for return to Midmar podium
2020 aQuellé Midmar Mile champion Robyn Kinghorn is looking to make up for the disappointment of a fifth place last year when she returns to the KwaZulu-Natal dam to take on the 2022 race .
The aQuellé Midmar Mile takes place from 10-13 February and Kinghorn is eager for a return to the podium .
“ I always strive to win . So I will definitely put everything into the race and see how I do ,” said the Durban swimmer . “ However I always ensure that it remains a fun-filled day .”
Thousands of swimmers are expected to flock to Midmar Dam for the event which will be spread across four days , including two days for the charity swims and two for the main events , with all Covid safety measures in place .
While Kinghorn picked the perfect line across the dam in 2020 , she went well wide of the pack in the 2021 race and that cost her .
“ Last year was not my year but that is what competing is all about , learning from past mistakes and fixing them . I think just focusing on choosing the right line and getting a better start this year will be what I change ,” she said .
Like last year , the group of 20 elite female swimmers will start their race from a pontoon rather than on the dam ’ s edge like in previous editions of the famous race .
The conditions on the dam were significantly choppy when Kinghorn won her title in 2020 and she is hoping for more of the same this year .
“ I would like a bit of choppy water this year . I always feel that if you are racing in a dam then choppy conditions are ideal as that ’ s what makes open water swimming so exciting .”
As for what makes the aQuellé Midmar Mile such a great event , the 22-year-old added : “ For me personally the Midmar Mile has always been special because I associate it with my family and friends . The Midmar Mile is such a unique race that I love being a part of and whether someone can say that they have done it once or they have done it 20 times it is still a wonderful achievement .
“ A big thank you to Wayne Riddin and his whole team for all that they do to get the Midmar Mile ready for us to race , as well as thank you to the sponsors that support this event … And a big thanks to my coach Alisdair Hatfield as well as Prime Human Performance Institute who are keeping me fit and ready to race .”
“ The smaller elite field makes the race quite interesting as you have a better view of where your competitors are during the race ,” reckoned Kinghorn . “ Having a pontoon start is always exciting as it allows you to get a good dive start and sets up how the rest of the race goes .
“ I don ’ t believe that there is one person that is considered to be the toughest competition , as open water swimming is so versatile with so many factors on the day that can influence position . I feel that nobody should be ruled out as you never know how competitors 10 are feeling on the day ,” she added . aQuellé Midmar Mile | Worlds Largest Open Water Swim