WADE Krieger and Hayley Nixon bagged maximum log points in the series-opening Bay Union Season Starter at Addington Beach last Sunday.
Wade was drawn into a tussle with Herman Chalupsky at the front of the men’s single ski race, both eager to take full advantage of the absence of series stalwarts, Hank McGregor and Matt Bouman.
Herman took the lead early on in the first lap, consisting of a leg straight out to sea followed by a downwind sector back to eThekwini beach, before Wade made his move and surged to the front.
“It was a tough race,” said Wade. “Herman was tactically better in the runs, but I made up that 15 metres after the turning buoy. Then I pulled to the top and I think my surf skills helped in the end, and I got onto a wave coming in and ran up the beach to the finish to claim the win.”
“I like to take it one race at a time,” said Krieger. “I am injury-free at the moment, feeling strong and I can only improve from here. Next weekend is the 21km Bay Union King of the Bay, so I will have to taper a bit this week because you can never underestimate that type of distance,” said Wade.
The women’s title was claimed by Hayley Nixon in a dominant performance that saw her race to the front early on and consolidate an impressive victory to kickstart her surfski season. “We had a great tussle on the leg out to the turning can, and as we got into the downwind leg in, I managed to pull a bit of a gap on Nikki Russell. She came back strongly, but luckily I was able to maintain the gap and take the win,” said Hayley.
Classy Durban schoolgirl, Kyeta Purchase, won the junior girls’ division, finishing third overall in the women’s race.
Fastest over the 12km long course was the doubles crew of Barry Lewin and Clinton Cook.
The second leg of the series is the Bay Union King of the Bay hosted by Stella Canoe Club on Sunday 24 April, which affords surfski paddlers the once-a-year opportunity to paddle across Durban harbour and out through the harbour mouth.
DROPBOX
Long course men’s singles
1. Wade Krieger 53:22.31
2. Herman Chalupsky 53:35.37
3. Gene Prato 53:47.88
Long course women’s singles
1. Hayley Nixon 59:34:13
2. Nikki Russell 1:00:18
3. Kyeta Purchase 1:01:17
Long course doubles
1. Barry Lewin/Clinton Cook 52:17.22k
2. Linton Hope/Bruce Wenke 55:02.22
3. Zoog Haynes/Christie Mackenzie 55:53.66
Short course
1. Nicholas Horn/D.Bindley 33:38
2. Cameron Hudson 33:49
3. Ian Grieg/Neil Grieg 34:20
SUP
1. Dylan Frick 44:33
2. Grant Reid 45:43
3. Roger de Billot 48:06
