Women take centre stage at surfski race

THE focus shifted to a hugely entertaining women's race on Friday night as young Jenna Ward pippied the returning-to-form Michelle Burn at the post to win race five of the Varsity College FNB Marine Surfski Series.

The women's race ebbed and flowed throughout in some favourable conditions for the paddlers. Ward managed to get herself in front of Burn at the final turning can, and she pinned her ears back and got a slight advantage over her competitor into the finish.

“I knew that Michelle and Danica (Bartho) were going to be really strong on the downwind, so I made sure that I really grinded it out into the wind, which gave me a slight advantage,” the World Marathon Championship bronze medallist said. “I did manage to get away on the first lap, but Michelle kept right on my tail in the final lap, and I knew that she was going to be tough to beat coming into the beach,” she said.

With five races in the series completed the women's standings look like it could be anyone’s series, and with Burn starting to return to the form that she had before her recent pregnancy it means that there are a number of contenders for the women's title.

“With five races to go it is anyone’s title I think, and we are expecting to see Nikki Russell back soon which will make the races even more interesting. A few of us all train together. so we know each other quite well. but surfski racing can be anyone’s win, which makes for some exciting racing,” she added.

Burn’s return to form has come at the best possible time for her with the series reaching the halfway point, and she is encouraged by her return following a slow start to the series from her.

Burn was aware of the strength of Ward into the wind and she knew that she had to capitalise on the downwind; however, she also had to try and maintain her speed as she felt in previous weeks that she did not have 'enough in the tank' at the end.

Five-time World Marathon Champion, Hank McGregor, picked up where he left off in the Varsity College FNB Marine Surfski Series as he claimed another win after being away for a few weeks, and the North Coast resident was happy with the race.

“The conditions were perfect: a light south-wester was blowing and it was a good race for me considering I have been out of the ski for a while. I managed to get my nose in front early and kept myself in front throughout, and I made sure that I capitalised on the downwind,” he said.

Shaun Burgin and Clinton Cook claimed the overall doubles race honours, and it was Luke Criticos who managed to get one over his close rival, Bailey de Fondaumiere, in race five. This sets up an interesting final five races in the junior boys' division.

The Hansa Surfski Challenge, race six of the 2015 Varsity College FNB Marine Surfski Series, will be at 5.30pm on Friday, 13 February at Addington Beach.

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