Krieger wins surfski race
Iron man, Wade Krieger, hit form to claim race four of the Bay Union Surfski Series.
LIFESAVING Iron Man Wade Krieger showed that he is hitting top form when he won his first title in the popular Bay Union Surfski Series
While series leader Hank McGregor was away in Germany to receive his World Paddle award for the Sportsman of the Year, Krieger was eager to take full advantage of the opportunities, and was quickly drawn into a ferocious tussle with Steve Woods and Barry Lewin.
Lewin was quickest out of the blocks, racing away in small surf from Dairy beach and in mild ocean conditions flattened out by the overnight Westerly winds that passed through Durban.
However Krieger soon took charge, energised by rest after the SA Lifesaving Championships and being able to tailor his training more towards his paddling. He coasted through the small surf to claim the title by 30 seconds from Woods, with Lewin taking the last spot on the podium.
Meanwhile, the women's race produced the closest finish of the series to date, with four Team Fenn Kayaks paddlers racing on the same wave into the finish together.
Michelle Burn broadsided in the shorebreak, upending Nikki Russell, and Jenna Ward was the quickest upon the short stretch of beach to take the title by the slimmest of margins from Hayley Arthur.
“Everyone was pulling, trying to get away, and the speed was up the whole time,” said a visibly elated Ward, who is part of the province's Elite Athlete Development Programme training at Prime HPI. “It is so exciting that the girl’s racing is this close. It shows that our training is paying off and we are right up there with the guys,” she added.
Richard Lowe and Shaun Burgin took the double ski title with a solid third place overall, 30 seconds clear of Dewalt Hattingh and Irvin Dixon.
The double ski field included former Dusi winner Thulani Mbanjwa, who made a rare appearance at a surfski race, paddling with Ian Marais.
The fifth and final race of the Bay Union Surfski Series, the Lion Of Africa Reef Challenge and Bay Union Graded Shootout takes places at Durban Underwater Club on Sunday 17 May. Visit: www.pitchandpaddle.co.za
