Land sprint decides race 7 of Varsity College Marine Surfski Series

Saturday, 05 March 2011 14:59

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McGregor out sprints Bouman to win Race Seven

Series leader Hank McGregor had to draw on all of his experience and determination to narrowly edge out defending champion Matt Bouman and claim Friday evening’s IT Works Surfski Challenge, Race Seven of the Varsity College Marine Surfski Series.

After a game of cat and mouse on the open water the series top two contenders went head to head through the surf, each pushing as hard as they could to gain even the smallest of advantage. However they reached the beach side by side and a foot race up the sand is what it took for a victor to emerge.

“It was really tight all the way. Fortunately I just managed to get ahead of him at the end which was a nice way to end off the week,” said McGregor.

“I took a little while to warm up so I sat just behind Matt for the first section and then it’s always a free for all on the downwind leg and I managed to get the jump on him on the run,” he added.

Bouman, who got off to a good start, worked hard to keep McGregor behind him for the majority of the race and will take confidence from the fact that it was a far closer race compared to recent weeks.

“I opened up a slight lead and thought for a second that maybe I’d shaken Hank because I hadn’t seen or heard from him for a while but I knew better than to believe that. We turned and he was right there,” said Bouman.

“He was clever with his angles on the way in and he just managed to beat me on the beach. It’s frustrating finishing second again but it’s always great to be racing, especially when it’s as competitive as it was tonight.”

“I’m improving all the time and I’m feeling good so it’s definitely not all over yet. I guess I’ve just got to win the next couple of races,” he added.

Michelle Eder continued her demolition of the women’s field as she cruised to another win without really being challenged.

“I got away really well again and opened up quite a nice lead but then two blue bottles wrapped around my face and body so I had to stop and try get them off me. I was pretty sore after that so I just tried to make sure I stayed ahead of the others and get to the finish,” said Eder.

“On the ocean is where I want to be, it’s my favourite by far! I absolutely love it and Friday evening is the only chance I get to paddle on the sea so staying motivated is not difficult at all.”

Daryl Bartho and Warren Jacobs stormed to victory in the doubles race, finishing comfortably ahead of Barry Lewin and Sthembiso Mbhatha whilst Jean Luc Mauvis and Luke Nisbet claimed third.

Varsity College’s Sport Life captains all put in strong performances. Grant van der Walt claimed another third in the men’s race with Shaun Austin finishing ninth whilst Jenna Ward took the Junior Girls title.

The eighth race of the series, the Sunday Tribune Surfski Challenge, takes place on Friday 11 March at 17.30.

More information can be found at www.marineseries.co.za

SUMMARY OF RESULTS – IT WORKS SURFSKI CHALLENGE
SEVENTH LEG OF THE VARSITY COLLEGE MARINE SURFSKI SERIES

Long Course Singles – Men
1. Hank McGregor 31.01
2. Matt Bouman 31.01
3. Grant van der Walt 32.41
4. Marc Holtzhausen 33.23
5. Len Jenkins 33.35
6. Brandon van der Walt 34.20
7. Dirk van den Berg 35.07
8. Oliver Burn 35.15
9. Shaun Austin 35.58
10. Matt Carlisle 36.04

Long Course Singles – Women
1. Michelle Eder 39.09
2. Danica Voster 39.27
3. Natalie Veckranges 41.31

Long Course – Doubles
1. Daryl Bartho/Warren Jacobs
2. Barry Lewin/Sthembiso Mbatha 32.30
3. Jean Luc Mauvis/Luke Nisbet 32.45

Short Course – Singles
1. Thando Thusi 22.50
2. Justin Wenke 22.59
3. Joshua Howles 22.59

Short Course – Doubles
1. Warren Beuster/Jenna Halse 21.09
2. Sharon Armstrong/Sally 22.39
3. Kean Nicholson/Melissa 24.02

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