DESPITE the first race of the FNB Surfski Series being cancelled on Friday due to rough conditions, the series will still play host to arguably the strongest ladies field ever.
The cream of the South Africa’s women ocean racers will go head-to-head over the exciting nine race series.
With two consecutive titles in the past two years, Hayley Nixon will be taking the 2018 series less seriously which opens the door, potentially, for a new series winner.
“We have seen the depth of ladies surfski paddling grow over the years and that is exactly what we want. More and more people from different paddling disciplines are seeing surfski paddling as great cross training which is drawing ladies to the sport,” Nixon said.
There is always an excitement around the opening race of a series and for many of the ladies involved race one will be an opportunity to get early season points and a headstart on the series log.
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For Michelle Burn, this will be another opportunity to continue where she left off in 2017, however with commitments at home taking centre stage she will have to pick her races carefully.
“Oliver sacrificed a lot for me in 2017 and was the stay-at-home dad, so I could race as hard as possible, so this year it is my turn to support him. I will definitely take part if conditions are good but this year I am going to be on the bank supporting,” Burn said.
The likes of young Kyeta Purchase, former Under 23 Ocean Racing World Champion Jenna Ward as well as recently converted surfski paddler Bridgitte Hartley could all be vying for the overall title.
To be among the final prizes, paddlers must complete at least six of the nine races in the series.
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