Nixon takes control of women’s surfski series

MATT Bouman grabbed the overall line honours in the Hi-Q Challenge surfski series race, the penultimate leg of the popular FNB Surfski Series, while most of the attention was focused on the fascinating tussle for the women’s series honours.

Bouman (SMG/Epic Kayaks) ground away alone at the front to post the fastest overall time ahead of the husband-and-wife crew of multiple marathon world champ Hank McGregor and Pippa McGregor (Epic Kayaks/Euro Steel), but it was the ferocious tussle between the classy women’s title pacesetters Hayley Nixon and Michelle Burn (Fenn Kayaks), both anxious to seize the high ground going into the decisive final race of the series, that dominated conversation after the race.

It was Nixon who prevailed, making the most of the benign overcast conditions that favoured flatwater speed over downwind skills, the Euro Steel/Carbonology Sport star edging Burn into second in the dying stages of what was an absorbing tussle.

“It was a tough race, made tougher by the fact that both Michelle and I are narrowing the gap on each others skills. She is really going well and getting stronger in the flatter conditions, and I am able to stay with her in the big downwind conditions. Every time I looked over my shoulder she was right there! That is exactly what we want as we prepare for the upcoming international season,” said Nixon.

Bouman’s win was his third of the series but with Hank McGregor having already wrapped up the men’s series honours, it will simply consolidate his runner-up position on the series log.

“I have been training quite hard and I wanted some feedback on how it is going. Both Wade (Krieger) and Grant (Van der Walt) are going well at the moment, so to be able to pull away from them is a good indicator,” said Bouman.

Bouman finished more than a minute clear of Wade Krieger with Grant van der Walt completing the men’s podium.

With the McGregors making the mixed doubles race their own from the outset, behind them there was a needle scrap for second between Jenna Ward and Luke Nisbet and the crew of Donna Tutton and Shaun Burgin which Ward and Nisbet won by thirty seconds.

The men’s double title went to Wise Mvubu and Thando Thusi, while Hamish Lovemore continued his excellent run of form, winning the junior prizemoney with another overall top ten performance

The Varsity College Surfski Challenge and Varsity College SA Schools Champs, Race Ten of the 2017 FNB Surfski Series, is at 5.30pm on Friday, 10 March at Marine Surf Lifesaving Club, Addington Beach. Visit: www.marineseries.co.za.