The challenge was a build-up to the Dusi, a three day classic between Durban and Pietermaritzburg that takes place from February 19 to 21.

Three of the top-four took part and all finished in the top five with Andy Birkett winning the title for a second year running.

The omission from the seeded batch was Dusi K2 champ Sbonelo Khwela. He took the decision not to paddle the Drak about concerns over a nagging shoulder injury.

Birkett was elated at claiming a second Drak Challenge title as he is fond of the Southern Drakensberg and it is often a key part of his Dusi training in the Underberg area.

While he was thrilled to have won over two other members of Dusi 2015's Fantastic Four - Lance Kime (Euro Steel) finished second and Thulani Mbanjwa (Build it/Williams Hunt) fifth - he was guarded against using the race outcome as a clear form guide for the Dusi in three weeks' time.

"It is a good win for me, but in terms of my Dusi training I can't tick all the boxes because there is no running at all in the Drak Challenge -- it is a paddling race. Dusi is a different race altogether and I am really looking forward to it," said Birkett.

Khwela, Birkett's fellow victorious K2 partner at the 2014 Dusi, is the benchmark when it comes to portage speed and may well lay claim to being one of the fastest men in the world when it comes to running with a boat on his shoulder.

However his shock withdrawal from the Drak Challenge with an overtraining injury has rattled the likeable Euro Steel/Red Bull star somewhat.

Mbanjwa raced a solid Drak to finish fifth. The popular former Dusi K2 champ with Martin Dreyer has three weeks to up his game on the water and the paths to justify his status as a genuine threat to the 2015 Dusi K1 title.

Kime was another to have taken a huge amount away from the weekend's Underberg assignment. The Maties star is bullish about his chances of defending his Dusi K1 crown.

"My race was super smooth. I was able to basically go flat out throughout the race, especially on the latter stages of Day One and the whole of day two when I was on my own.

Also coming away from Underberg with a spring in her step was Abby Adie having bagged a fifth Drak title and taking great heart from her form.

"I am really happy with where I am at the moment," said Adie.

"On day one you might have been able to get away with just your technical skills, but the second stage there was nowhere to hide, it was all fitness!"