Maiden surfski series titles for Mauvis and Ward
The women’s clash was a fascinating affair throughout the six-leg competition as Jenna Ward claimed three back to back race victories of her own, to claim the overall series spoils.
EMDLOTI’S Jean Luc Mauvis and Mt Edgecombe’s Jenna Ward wrapped up the final leg of the Illovo Suncoast Wall and Back Surfski Series in the men’s and women’s series titles respectively.
Mauvis finished third behind world marathon champ Hank McGregor and ironman Wade Kreiger, but it was not enough to stop him from clinching his maiden title.
In just his second appearance of the series due to his busy international racing schedule, McGregor soared to a massive two and a half minute victory however it was the scrap just behind him that was of real interest as the pre-race series title contenders went head to head.
Prior to the final clash of this year’s edition of the series getting underway, Mauvis, Gene Prato, Barry Lewin and Wade Krieger all sought a solid final race effort to see the scales tip in their favour for the overall spoils.
“It’s my first ever series win so I’m really stoked and its particularly pleasing because I started at Pirates Lifesaving Club as a nipper and the series is one of the oldest in the world,” said a pleased Mauvis.
“We always knew Hank (McGregor) was probably going to get the win so it was more about the rest of us racing amongst ourselves.
“Wade (Krieger) and I have enjoyed a great battle all series and he and I went hammer and tongs at each other which probably ended up playing an important role in my series win because it meant we got away from Gene (Prato) and I only realized afterwards just how close it was between Gene and I for the title,” he added.
The women’s clash was a fascinating affair throughout the six-leg competition as Ward claimed three back to back race victories of her own, to claim the overall series spoils.
Ward’s success comes off the back of her maiden surfski series win in the Bay Union Surfski Series in Durban this winter as well as a remarkable bronze medal in the U23 women’s clash of the ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships in Oklahoma City in September.
The local surfski scene now enjoys a break from competitive racing for the festive season however the FNB Surfski Challenge on 9 January 2015 gets the 10 leg Varsity College FNB Marine Surfski Series underway early in the new year.
