McGregor on form in series starter

MARATHON World Champion Hank McGregor provided a glimpse of his ominous form by blitzing the Bay Union Grading race that kick-started the popular winter surfski series at Addington Beach on Sunday.

He romped home to claim a lopsided win against a strong field as part of his base training for his assault on another Molokai Challenge title in Hawaii next month.

In a tricky massed start that is a hallmark of the season-starting grading race where every paddler starts together, McGregor was quick to stamp his authority on the race, putting water between himself and Wade Krieger and series boss Barry Lewin early on in the first triangular lap of the 12km race.

He was soon racing alone on the benign ocean and set about working through the double ski field ahead of him and pacing himself in a fast paced training session for the Molokai ultra-marathon on 30 May.

“I had a solid paddle. I am thick into my training for the Molokai so a 12km paddle feels like a warm up when you are preparing for a 50km race! To be able to get away from everyone in a top quality field – which is what you get every time you race in Durban – is really encouraging. The start is always important in this race to make sure you are well clear of any casualties at the start or the first turn,” said McGregor.

Surf lifesaving Iron Man Wade Krieger shrugged off Lewin to secure second place alone, while Lewin found himself in a six ski scrap for the last spot on the podium, eventually taken by Eastern Cape surfski icon Steve Woods, who looks set to be factor in all the surfski races in Durban this summer following his move up the coast.

McGregor outpaced the winning double ski crew of youngster Dewalt Hattingh and Irvin Dixon who took the double ski title by thirty seconds from Adam Nisbett and Nic Burden. Dusi icon Sbonelo Khwela made a surprise appearance in the double ski line-up and was right in the mix for the title with youngster Banesti Nkhoesa before they got stuck on the shark nets coming in on the final lap.

Michelle Burn celebrated her return to the Bay Union Surfski Series by winning the women's title in front of her new daughter, but she needed some luck to get there. Burn had been locked in a titantic duel with the talented Nikki Russell and in the final short lap from the harbour wall to the finish Russell got away and onto a wave into the finish ahead of Burn. Defending series women's champ and Team Fenn Kayaks teammate Jenna Ward was the third woman home.

The second race of the Bay Union Surfski Series, the McCarthy Toyota Durban King of the Bay takes place on the public holiday Monday 27 April from the Stella

Canoe Club base on Durban harbour's Bayhead.