Course change welcomed at marine series

IN an innovative move from event organisers, the route for the HiQ Surfski Challenge was changed to give the paddlers the best chance of testing themselves in subdued conditions at Race 9 of the 2015 Varsity College FNB Marine Surfski Series.

It was 2015 series winner Hank McGregor and Nicole Russell who proved to be the quickest two over the long course.
Race organiser Barry Lewin made the decision to change the course and it was well received by the paddlers who have had some indifferent conditions through the series with Race 2 being cancelled due to dangerous surf.

“We had some great conditions on Friday but we needed to mix it up a bit to keep it exciting so we gave the paddlers a chance to paddle straight out at the beginning. There was a strange onshore breeze blowing but the change in course seemed to quite popular which is great,” Lewin said.

Although he has the series title wrapped up the battle at the front of the race was once again a frantic one with Matt Bouman doing a lot of the work on the front of the race but it was the experience and skill of Hank McGregor in calm conditions who managed to pip Bouman at the post to claim another victory.

It was a neck and neck race throughout and although the title is his McGregor’s competitive spirit kept him searching for another win and another edge over Bouman as their rivalry has become synonymous with the Marine Series.

Nicole Russell completed her hat-trick of wins as she wrapped up another victory on Friday ahead of series leader Jenna Ward and with only four results to count for Russell she is out of the running for the overall series title which means that it is going to be difficult for anyone to catch Ward who has been consistently good throughout the series.

With three wins and a handful of second place finishes Ward sneaks into the lead over Michelle Burn with the final race of the series coming up.
The only challenge for Ward going into the final race of the season could come from Burn who has gone ahead of the impressive Kyeta Purchase, who was not at the race on Friday, however if Ward ends the race close to the top of the ladies field she will wrap up the title.

The Varsity College Surfski Challenge/Varsity College SA Schools Surfski Champs, the final race of the 2015 Varsity College FNB Marine Surfski Series, takes place at 5.30pm on Friday 13 March at Addington Beach. More information can be found at www.marineseries.co.za