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Durban - After their recent announcement that they will be racing the ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships together, Hank McGregor and Andy Birkett took on their first surfski race as a pair when they won race three of the Bay Union Open Ocean Surfski Challenge, the Geriatskis Doubles Race, while Donna Winter and Jenna Ward won the ladies race on Sunday.
The duo, who won the Dusi Canoe Marathon in February, are a devastating combination in a boat and to see them in a surfski together is another intimidating sight for any would-be challengers.
"It was great to be in a double ski for the first time with Andy and we had a great day out, awesome conditions for surfski paddling," McGregor commented.
"We managed to get ourselves a slight lead going out to the buoy and then we milked the bumps coming back."
Birkett echoed McGregor's comments about their day on the ocean and they were both happy with a win in their debut race together.
"I think that the conditions were a lot better for doubles skis and we had a good race. I really enjoyed it and I am looking forward to another paddle together soon," Birkett said.
The dream team were in control of proceedings when they manged to maintain their early lead throughout and win the race by 30 seconds over Luke Nisbett and Gene Prato in second place, while Matt Bouman and Andre Pohl finished in third.
The ladies race was won by another impressive duo. Jenna Ward and Donna Winter won the ladies race in convincing fashion when they dominated the rest of the ladies field.
"Conditions were great!" Winter said after the race. "It was pretty flat but we paddled in a north easterly which meant it was quite a difficult paddle to the turn buoy but the way back there was a nice little bump with a few runs.
"Jenna and I were chuffed to take the win and overall it was a great race for us!"
It was a terrific effort from the winning pair of Ward and Winter as they powered to a ninth place overall finish and a win of over four minutes ahead of Bridgitte Hartley and Melissa van Rooyen. Lyn Bennett and Debbie Gillet rounded out the ladies podium.
Taking the mixed category was the young pair of Cameron Hudson and Sabina Lawrie. The pair were also in fine form as they rounded out the top ten and took the mixed category by over four minutes.
Experienced ocean racer Herman Chalupsky took home the singles honours ahead of Stuart Roberts and Sam Butcher.
Over the short course it was an exciting shootout for the top spot on the podium that was eventually won by Jody and Duane Taylor ahead of Murray and Dylan Smith by just five seconds. Finishing third over the short course was under 18 girls pair of Alice Edward and Tayla Gilmore.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS - RACE FOUR BAY UNION OPEN OCEAN SURFSKI SERIES
LONG COURSE
Overall
1.Hank McGregoe/Andy Birkett 43:21
2.Luke Nisbett/Gene Prato 43:51
3.Matt Bouman/Andre Pohl 44:15
4.Jason Ekstrand/Hamish Lovemore 45:48
5.Tyron Maher/Clinton Cook 46:03
6.Richard Lowe/Callam Davis 48:33
7.Stewart Little/Hamish Mackenzie (U23) 48:55
8.Grant Smith/Paulos Shozi 49:05
9.Jenna Ward/Donna Winter 49:40
10.Sabina Lawrie/Cameron Hudson 49:51
Women
1.Jenna Ward/Donna Winter 49:40
2.Bridgitte Hartley/Melissa van Rooyen 54:09
3.Lyn Bennett/Debbie Gillet 54:57
Singles
1.Herman Chalupsky 52:24
2.Stuart Roberts 56:39
3.Sam Butcher 57:13
SHORT COURSE
Overall
1.Jody Taylor/Duane Taylor 36:11
2.Murray Smith/Dylan Smith 36:16
3.Alice Edward/Tayla Gilmore 36:40 (U18) 36:40
4.Sharon Armstrong/Carl Elkington 36:49
5.Luke Taylor/Bryan Taylor 36:56
Singles
1.Cameron White (U23) 38:56
2.Lunga Mngadi 40:25
3.Lungelo Shange 40:45
