North Coast-based surfski star, Hank McGregor, continued his fine ocean racing form with another strong win at the PYC Challenge while his wife, Pippa, teamed up with Jenna Nisbet to claim the women’s laurels.
The race was organised to fill the gap by the postponement of the Bay Union King of the Bay and saw paddlers either tackle the long 22km course or the shorter 10km race at Durban bay. Gentle ocean conditions and mild winter weather meant that conditions were sublime once again as Durban provided the ideal outing for paddlers taking part in both events.
Euro Steel/Feen racer McGregor showed his hand and proved once again that he is Durban’s premier surfski paddler, beating Gene Prato for first place and the top spot in the A Grade.
“It was great to race surfski again after quite a few solid weeks focusing on marathons. I managed to pull away from the pack early and then it was pretty much a solo paddle for rest of the 22 kays. It was great training and I am happy with my third win in the series,” said McGregor.
Prato came home second, forty seconds behind McGregor, while Bryce Lawson finished in the third spot. In a stand-out result, Pippa McGregor and Jenna Nisbet where the first women’s team over the line and ended sixth overall in the double ski race, continuing their fine form from the recent marathon champs.
Richard Lowe and Jason Ekstrand took the overall double ski bragging rights from Marco Magni and Vernon Vogt. In B Grade, Garth Schonewolf and Wim van Herzeele claimed first position just ahead of Wandile Dube and Senzo Ngcobo while Thubelihle Banda and Keelyn Tucker ended third. Alan Hold and Geoff Thompson ended first in the C Grade.
The race, organised by Stella Canoe Club, provided an important longer competitive outing for the surfski paddlers building towards the annual Scottburgh2Brighton classic.
Summary of results:
PYC Surfski Challenge
1) Hank McGregor 1:43:37.28
2) Gene Prato 1:44:17.42
3) Bryce Lawson 1:52:05.60
