AFTER race five of the six-leg Illovo Suncoast Wall and Back Surfski Series the men’s title race is wide open after Jean Luc Mauvis became the first paddler to clinch a second race victory.

With regular front runners Hank McGregor, uMhlanga’s Matt Bouman and Durban North resident Grant van der Walt all on international duty ahead of this week’s Steelcase Dragon Run in Hong Kong, Mauvis took full advantage and soared to his second consecutive victory of the Durban-based series.

“It was a bit tougher field this week compared to last, but Matt (Bouman), Hank (McGregor) and one or two others were obviously still away so I wanted to try make hay while the sun was out,” explained the eMdloti based entrepreneur.

Mauvis narrowly edged out one of the most consistent performers of this year’s Wall and Back Surfski Series, Gene Prato while Barry Lewin rounded out the men’s podium.

The women’s race saw a third new face at the front of the field as weeks’ one, two and three’s second place finisher Jenna Ward went one better claiming the women’s race honours.

The next race takes place on Friday, 28 November at Suncoast Pirates Surf Lifesaving Club and gets underway at 5.30pm.