Large crowd for surfski event
McGregor and Ward take top spots in the opening race of the Varsity College FNB Marine Surfski Series.
THE first leg of the Varsity College FNB Marine Surfski Series 2015 klicked off the surfski season on Friday evening.
The favourable conditions drew large numbers as they took on the long and short courses with an impressive Hank McGregor and equally exciting Jenna Ward coming out on top in race one of the 10 leg series.
The men’s race started frenetically as expected but the status quo was established by the first turning buoy as multiple canoe marathon world champion Hank McGregor got himself out in front in relatively flat conditions, making a convincing win.
“It is always good to get a win in the first race of a series like this. I have been training really hard over the festive season and it is always great when you see the hard work paying off,” McGregor said.
The 2014 Series was tied between McGregor and Epic Kayaks' Matt Bouman who came in second on Friday.
“It’s never great coming second but when you up against the best in the world week-in and week-out you have to be on form every single week and today Hank was just too strong for me. Sometimes you're up, sometimes it’s someone else’s race, in a series like this it is always changing!” Bouman added.
The women's race was also dominated by a marathon world championship medalist as 2014 U23 bronze medalist Jenna Ward used the favourable conditions to her advantage as she powered away to a good win in race one of the series.
“I got quite a lucky start as I was the first one out even amongst the doubles so it was good being out there in the lead and I love the flatter conditions so I was able to get ahead and stay ahead,” Ward explained.
For the young Kyeta Purchase, being able to come second to her training partner was a result that she was happy with and she was quick to mention the difficulty of paddling against her training partner Jenna Ward.
“It was really really tiring. I am pretty happy with how I did today but it is really tough taking on Jenna, she is really strong but I am happy!” she said.
Friday 16 January is the second leg of the 2015 FNB Varsity College Marine Surfski Series with the McCarthy Toyota Durban Kingsmead Surfski Challenge at Marine Surf Lifesaving Club at Addington Beach at 5.30pm. Visit: www.marineseries.co.za
