After their recent announcement that they will be racing the ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships together, Hank McGregor and Andy Birkett took on their first surfski race as a pair when they won race three of the Bay Union Open Ocean Surfski Challenge, the Geriatskis Doubles Race, on Sunday.
The Euro Steel duo, who won the FNB Dusi Canoe Marathon in February, are a devastating combination in a boat and to see them in a surfski together is another intimidating sight for any would-be challengers.
Also read: McGregor continues to dominate paddling
“It was great to be in a double ski for the first time with Andy and we had a great day out, awesome conditions for surfski paddling,” Salt Rock local, McGregor commented.
“We managed to get ourselves a slight lead going out to the buoy and then we milked the bumps coming back.”
Birkett echoed McGregor’s comments about their day on the ocean and they were both happy with a win in their debut race together.
“I think that the conditions were a lot better for doubles skis and we had a good race. I really enjoyed it and I am looking forward to another paddle together soon,” Birkett said.
The dream team were in control of proceedings when they manged to maintain their early lead throughout and win the race by 30 seconds over Luke Nisbett and Gene Prato in second place, while Matt Bouman and Andre Pohl finished in third.
The ladies race was won by another impressive duo.
Jenna Ward and Donna Winter won the ladies race in convincing fashion when they dominated the rest of the ladies field.
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