Sunday, 15 May 2011 15:19
The Strong get Stronger
Durban - World-renowned surfski paddler Hank McGregor opened his Discovery Sunglass Hut Surfski Series account when he narrowly edged out last week’s winner Matt Bouman in a sprint up the beach to claim the tightly contested Powerade on Dairy surfski race on Sunday morning.
As scores lined Dairy Beach’s shoreline and piers, McGregor and Bouman got off to a flyer and the two Series favourites wasted little time in opening up a formidable lead over the chasing pack.
The two world class paddlers proceeded to work together as they made their way around the 14km course at a rapid pace and when they turned at the final buoy neck and neck and headed for the beach all was set for a thrilling sprint finish.
“I’ve been a bit sick recently and only finished my antibiotics on Friday so I wasn’t going to race but with it being such a beautiful day I thought I’d come down and just see how things went,” said McGregor. “It was more of a tactical race for me today rather than trying to breakaway and get a lead.”
“The waves were pretty slow all day. You almost had to paddle over them so it was pretty hard work. Matt paddled really well so I’m very chuffed to have gotten the win and hopefully things can go even better next weekend!” he added.
“I had a gap over him when we were coming in but even when you think you’ve got him (McGregor) on the water he is so strong tactically. He just out-thought me today!” said Bouman.
Barry Lewin recovered well from a poor start to lead the rest of the men’s A-batch home and claim the final spot on the podium ahead of youngster Brandon van der Walt.
“I took a bit of a smack to the chest early on so I struggled to get going initially and once Hank (McGregor) and Matt (Bouman) get ahead of you, there’s just no catching them!” said Lewin.
Donna Winter made it two from two as she once again stole the show in the ladies race and has now opened up a handy lead over surfski star Michelle Eder who is yet to take part in the series due to her sprint commitments.
“It was absolutely amazing out there today. There were dolphins and all kinds of marine life in amongst us and to have won as well just made it such a perfect day!” said Winter.
“It’s still very early but I’m pretty happy with how things are going so far. I feel my training is going well at the moment and I definitely think I was stronger today than I was last week which is obviously great,” she added.
In the doubles race the pairing of Mark Lewin and ‘Stretch’ Struwig showed there is no substitute for experience as their skill and guile saw them edge out Richard Philips and Bryan Taylor in a final dash for the line.
Paul van Achterbergh put in a solid performance to take the short course singles race whilst the mixed pair of Mark and Tamryn Kelly got the better of last week’s winners Shaun Simpson and Callie Watts to claim the short course doubles title.
Race three of the series takes place at 09h00 on 22 May and gives participants the rare opportunity for paddle through Durban harbour and out the harbour mouth as they take part in the McCarthy Toyota King of the Bay race from Stella to Marine SLC.
More information can be found at www.surfski.co.za
SUMMARY OF RESULTS - POWERADE ON DAIRY
SECOND LEG OF THE DISCOVERY SUNGLASS HUT SURFSKI SERIES
Long Course - Men
1. Hank McGregor 1:04.28
2. Matt Bouman 1:04.31
3. Barry Lewin 1:07.44
4. Brandon van der Walt 1:07.46
5. Quinton Rutherford 1:08.27
6. Luke Nisbet 1:08.31
7. Mark Mulder 1:08.48
8. Adam Nisbet 1:09.03
9. Matthew Collins 1:09.41
10. Dirk van den Berg 1:09.42
Long Course - Women
1. Donna Winter 1:17.19
2. Claire Lindsay 1:33.34
3. Cecylia Karcz 1:36.03
Long Course - Doubles
1. Mark Lewin/Stretch Struwig 1:07.43
2. Richard Philips/Bryan Taylor 1:07.57
3. Natalie Veckranges/Jean-Luc Mauvis 1:08.32
Short Course - Singles
1. Paul van Achterbergh 41.32
2. Luke Steenkamp 42.27
3. Luke Jordaan 42.45
Short Course - Doubles
1. Mark Kelly/Tamryn Kelly 40.48
2. Shaun Simpson/Callie Watts 41.14
3. Bruce Dragt/Michelle Jevon 42.50
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