McGregor slays the dragon

FLATWATER Marathon World Champion Hank McGregor reinforced just why he is regarded by many as one of the greatest all-round paddlers of all time when he overcame a field of world class pedigree and stormed to a memorable and record-breaking victory in this year’s Steelcase Dragon Run surfski race in Hong Kong.

McGregor, the first of no less than five South Africans to finish in the top eight, was both relieved and surprised as he crossed the finish line in record time and, whilst being happy to be the new race record holder, was particularly pleased with his victory given the depth and standard of this year’s field.

Having battled his way to a shock seventh position at the inaugural ICF Surfski World Championships in Portugal earlier this year McGregor felt the victory this weekend was a sweet tasting comeback performance against an even stronger field than was present at the global showdown given the presence of the likes of Australian Jeremy Cotter and fellow South African ace Dawid Mocké this time around.

“It was a fantastic race to win because everyone was there, even the guys who boycotted the world champs,” said McGregor. “Jeremy Cotter was there as defending champion and he was really gracious when he came up to congratulate me after the race. The win also gets a bit of a monkey off my back having got two thirds in the last two years,” he added.

Whilst he was claiming victory in Hong Kong, McGregor’s regular doubles partner and fellow surfski star and Durban North resident, Grant van der Walt was enjoying his moment in the limelight a little closer to home when he made the top step of the podium of the Dischem Automall Pete Marlin surfski race in East London his own.