Ward and Hockly reign supreme at surfski race
The duo won the first national title of the year since the Covid-19 lockdown began in March.
MOUNT Edgecombe resident, Jenna Ward and Mount Moreland resident, Saskia Hockly won the national double S2 ski title in stormy weather at the Bay Union King of the Bay in Durban last Sunday.
It was the first national title of a year truncated by the Covid-19 lockdown, and signalled the start of eight days during which time four national championships will be decided, as the focus shifts to St Francis next weekend for three days of ski and flatwater marathon racing.
The race was thrown on its head just before the start when it was confirmed that former winner Michelle Burn had fallen ill and couldn’t partner teenager Saskia Hockly in what was being billed as the boat to beat.
Hockly was saved by her MacSquad coach Lee McGregor who arranged for Jenna Ward to partner her for what was their first outing in a ski together.
The duo replicated their excellent showing at the provincial marathon champs at Camps Drift last week.
“Once we got out into the ocean everyone spread out,” said Hockly. “Jen (Ward), being the awesome driver that she is, got us onto some runs, and we felt comfortable coming back. I knew that we combine really well, and we have very similar body shapes and size which helps. I woke up this morning with completely different intentions, planning a day of reports and marking,” said Ward. “Coming away with an SA title with Saskia is probably a better way to spend my Sunday,” she joked.
La Lucia’s Kyeta Purchase and uMhlanga’s Paige Horne wrapped up second place in the event that decided both the SA S2 and KZN S2 titles for 2020.
The event attracted a huge field of around 250 surfski paddlers in double and single skis and stand-up paddle boards, thriving on the return of popular canoeing events, despite the adverse weather conditions.
For more from Northglen News follow us on Facebook or Twitter. You can also follow us on Instagram
