World champ ready and primed for 2018 success
Since arriving back in Durban, the Durban North resident said she would take some relaxation time, a concept she is not familiar with, before taking on the Marine Surfski Series.
IF you are looking for what qualities make a world class athlete, look no further than Hayley Nixon. A world class athlete, Nixon’s drive and determination has been something to behold both on the national and international racing scene. After being crowned the women’s champ at the ICF Ocean Racing World Championships in Hong Kong, Nixon took on five other races, four in Australia and one in South Africa.
Her busy December schedule culminated in a win at the 50km Fenn Cape Point Challenge.
“I had a few races in Australia I really wanted to compete in. The Perth Doctor was the main one and despite winning it in 2016, I only managed a third placed finish last year. I felt I could have done better but I had a crash in the first kilometre of the race which resulted in a hole in my boat. But I paddled through the event with a canoe that kept taking in water. A week after that I won the West Coast Downwinder in Perth, which was a first for me. I also competed in the Sunset Surfski Race and the Palm to Pines in Sydney which were great,” she said.
Read also:Durban North olympic medalist cleared after doping allegations
At the end of that gruelling schedule Nixon contemplated not taking on the Cape Point Challenge, however she was swayed by her coach.
“I’d won the challenge in 2016 and I was really looking forward to defending my title but emotionally I was tired and physically drained. It was actually y coach, Linton Hope, who changed my mind. He said he understands why I wanted to pull out but felt I could win it. I really took his words to heart and I had faith in my training and myself, which he certainly had. I had phenomenal race, an almost perfect race but for one mishap,” she laughed.
“Truth be told, I hit the beach thinking I’d won the race but my coach sprinted down and told me I had to I’d missed the final turning can, which would mean I would be disqualified if I didn’t go around it. So I turned around and sprinted back into the water and paddled around the turning can before crossing the finish line for the second time.”
Since arriving back in Durban, the Durban North resident said she would take some relaxation time, a concept she is not familiar with, before taking on the Marine Surfski Series.
Read also: Extended entries announced for 2018 Dusi
****Hayley’s end of year results****
ICF World Champion (first)
Gorge Downwind Championships (third)
Palm 2 Pines (first)
Nelo Summer Challenge (first)
Perth Doctor (third)
Sunset Surfski Race 1 & 2 (second)
West Coast Downwinder (first)
