Monday, 29 November 2010 10:36
Solly takes Peninsula Marathon surfski title
Cape Town - Graeme Solomon bagged the Peninsula marathon title after two contrasting days of racing, underscoring his credentials and experience in surfski racing.
After grinding out an emphatic victory in the Daniel Conradie Memorial in tough flat conditions on Saturday, Solomon was in his element when the second stage of the Peninsula marathon took advantage of good downwind conditions from Milnerton to Melkbosstrand.
Race director Richard Kohler added some extra spice to the 20km race format by starting the event in the lagoon at Milnerton, before the field headed out to enjoy the downwind dice into the beach finish at Melkbos.
Relishing the runs Solomon was able to reverse the result of the previous day and beat home the pacesetting double ski crew of Bruce Neill and Theo van Wyk, who immediately set off for a further 45km training paddle as part of their preparations or the coming Southern Shamaal PE to East London ultra marathon in December.
"I was much happier today in the decent downwind," said Solomon. "I am just paddling for fun now, after the world marathon champs, and keeping my training up for the Cape Point, so today's race was pure carnival stuff. I am happiest in conditions like we had today."
Ian Trautmann secured the second place over the two stages of the marathon, with Maties speedster Ernest van Riet finishing third.
Michèle Eray completed her total domination of the two day race with a superb final day in the runs to Melkbos, finishing in fourth overall - the first time that a female paddler has finished within the elite percentage of the overall winners time.
"I am super-chuffed!" enthused the Plettenberg Bay native. "I was quite tired after the first day, so I held back a little, and with the runs working I was able to put my paddles down every now and then. I didn't want to overdo it because I am leaving for Dubai for the Shamaal tomorrow."
The Discovery Sunglass Hut surfski series spotlight shifts to the Peter Creese on 4 December. More information can be found at www.surfski.co.za
SUMMARY OF RESULTS
OVERALL RESULTS PENINSULA MARATHON
DISCOVERY SUNGLASS SURFSKI SERIES RACE SEVEN AND EIGHT
Elite Men
1. Graeme Solomon
2. Ian Trautmann
3. Ernest van Riet
4. Michèle Eray
5. Jamii Hamlin
Elite Ladies
1. Michèle Eray
2. Bianca Beavitt
Overall Doubleski
1. Bruce Neill/Theo van Wyk
2. Johan Swart/Burger Coetzee
3. Daantjie Malan/Mynhardt Marais
Mixed Doubleski
1. Ron Hart/Lis Hart
2. Billy Harker/Tracy Harker
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