DURBAN, South Africa – Defending series champion Hank McGregor claimed the IT Works Surfski Challenge, race eight of the Varsity College Marine Surfski Series, after yet another tactical slog on Friday evening.
The win is the Team Best 4 Kayak Centre star’s fourth of the series and, with his sole second place finish, he is now only one top five result away from defending his title.
Things haven’t gone all his own way though throughout the first eight stages of the 10-leg affair. The likes of Grant van der Walt and Matt Bouman have ensured the level at the front of the field has been at a whole new level in 2013.
“Conditions weren’t exactly spectacular for the guys at the front. They were pretty flat and boring but that just meant it became quite a strategic race,” said McGregor.
“Matt (Bouman), Grant (van der Walt) and I were together for pretty much the entire two laps and with only about five hundred meters did things start spicing up.
“Grant went first but I managed to come past him and when we all turned they seemed to delay and wait for a wave but there weren’t any so I just went for it and managed to open up a 30 meter lead which meant I could have a comfortable trot up the beach and leave the beach sprint to Grant and Matt.
Michelle Burn once again stamped her authority on proceedings in the women’s race as she came home well ahead of Varsity College paddlers Nikki Russell and Jenna Ward.
