McGregor kickstarts winter surfski series
McGregor and Burn claim victory in Bay Union Surfski race one.
MARATHON World Champion, Hank McGregor, provided a glimpse of his unfaltering form by blitzing through the Bay Union Grading race, which kickstarted the popular winter surfski series at Addington Beach on Sunday.
The Ballito paddling ace romped home to claim a lopsided win against a strong field as part of his base training for his assault on another Molokai Challenge title in Hawaii next month.
“I had a solid paddle. I am training for the Molokai, so a 12km paddle feels like a warm-up when you are preparing for a 50km race. To be able to get away from everyone in a top quality field – which is what you get every time you race in Durban – is really encouraging,” said McGregor.
Surf lifesaving Iron Man, Wade Krieger, shrugged off Lewin to secure second place, while Lewin found himself in a six-ski scrap for the last spot on the podium, eventually taken by Eastern Cape surfski icon, Steve Woods, who looks set to be factor in all the surfski races in Durban this summer following his move up the coast.
McGregor outpaced the winning double ski crew of youngster Dewalt Hattingh and Irvin Dixon, who took the double ski title by thirty seconds from Adam Nisbett and Nic Burden.
Dusi icon, Sbonelo Khwela made a surprise appearance in the double ski line-up and was right in the mix for the title with youngster, Banesti Nkhoesa before they got stuck on the shark nets coming in on the final lap.
Michelle Burn celebrated her return to the Bay Union Surfski Series by winning the women’s title in front of her new daughter, but she needed some luck to get there.
Burn had been locked in a Titanic duel with the talented Nikki Russell, and in the final short lap from the harbour wall to the finish Russell got away and onto a wave into the finish ahead of Burn.
Defending series women’s champ and Mount Edgecombe resident, Jenna Ward, was the third woman home.
The second race of the Bay Union Surfski Series, the McCarthy Toyota Durban King of the Bay, takes place on the public holiday, Monday, 27 April from the Stella Canoe Club, based on Durban harbour’s Bayhead.
