Burn clinches women’s crown
Michelle Burn takes the title at the Varsity College Marine Surfski Series.
SURFSKI World Championships silver medalist Michelle Burn clinched the women's title in the 2014 Varsity College Marine Surfski Series when she claimed a narrow victory over Nicole Russell in the DionWired Surfski Challenge.
With paddlers' best six results of the series counting towards the final standings Burn's victory, her sixth of the competition, sees her unbeatable with three races still to take place and hands her the series' women's title for the fourth time in five years.
“Unfortunately, I could only get five races in last year as the last one clashed with the Argus so I'm really chuffed to have won the series title back again this year. Man was it tough tonight though. Nicole (Russell) pushed me the whole way and I only just managed to out sprint her up the beach right at the end. I really had to work hard for this sixth race win but I'm really glad I managed get it under the belt and take the title again,” said Burn.
With series coordinator Barry Lewin a little anxious of the effects of the tropical cyclone lingering in the Mozambican Channel, both he and the paddlers were relieved to be greeted by near flat surf conditions on Friday morning.
The men's race saw uMhlanga's Matt Bouman surge home ahead of Durban North's Grant van der Walt and Jean Luc Mauvis while youngster Kyle Friedenstein narrowly held off the charging grandmaster Lee McGregor, father of the legendary Hank McGregor.
In the doubles race it was Shaun Dias and Wayne Wilson who clinched victory over Dean Chiazzari and Matthew Collins while Ryan Atkins and Julie Cornelius were the first mixed double across the line.
The IT Works Surfski Challenge, race eight of the Varsity College Marine Surfski Series, takes place on Friday 28 February at 5.30pm at Marine SLC at Addington Beach.
