Professor Tim Noakes is backing Oscar Chalupsky to win the Molokai surfski race on Sunday. Monica Dart/Gameplan Media
Sports Science guru Professor Tim Noakes is backing Oscar Chalupsky to win the Molokai Challenge surfski ultra marathon in Hawaii for the 13th time on Sunday.
Noakes was quick to concede that athletes reach their physical prime between 25 and 29 years of age, and is fascinated that the 50-year-old is able to remain competitive with elite athletes half his age.
Noakes admitted that it had taken a lot of hard training to get Chalupsky into this position, but, given the gruelling nature of the race which is widely regarded as the de-facto surfski world championships, the key deciding factor was mental.
“Chalupsky will likely win as he has the mind and determination that very very few can match,” said Noakes.
“This race is how he defines himself and he wants to be the only person ever to win it at 50. His motivation is enough to drive his body which is still in pretty good shape.
“In this race the difference between first and second is mental and has nothing to do with physiology,” explained Noakes.
“The winner is the one who does not accept coming second. Oscar does not accept coming second to anyone.”
Noakes feels that the sport of surf racing is a unique combination of fitness, strength and stamina, but with a large dose of skill and technique in riding the open ocean swells. This, he says, makes it possible for an older athlete to remain competitive at the highest level.
“Oscar Chalupsky is unique and his relationship to the sport and this race is special,” said Noakes.
Since committing himself to the goal of winning the Molokai at the age of 50, Chalupsky has followed a tough training regime, gyming and paddling in abnormally hot conditions. In four months he has shed 20 kilos, and plans to be down to 92kg by race day – the same weight he was in his matric year at Westville Boys High School.
He has secured the backing of the Richmark group for his bid to win the 2013 title.
Noakes has also had Chalupsky follow his new diet to support this rigorous training schedule.
“Chalupsky went on the high fat low carb diet that I and others suggested,” said Noakes.
“He then lost his excess fat and got back to his correct weight which is the weight he was when he played rugby at age 18. He is carbohydrate intolerant and so does poorly when he eats too much carbohydrate and conversely he does very well on a high fat diet.
“He is going to win,” Noakes said.
The Molokai Challenge takes place May 19 May over 52km from Kaluakoi resort on the island of Molokai to Hawaii Kai Town Centre on the island of Oahu.
