Nixon takes FNB Series Race, McGregor Dominates

Hayley Nixon scored her first win in the FNB Surfski Series in Durban, South Africa. Credits: Anthony Grote, Gameplan Media

Durban - Multiple marathon world champion Hank McGregor underscored his ocean racing class by claiming his fourth back-to-back win in the FNB Surfski Series, while Hayley Nixon, recently crowned women's World Surfski Series champion, powered home to take the ladies spoils.

Really Nice Runs

In the men's race McGregor revelled in the light Easterly onshore conditions, powering away from his nearest challenger Grant van der Walt over the two laps, with Wade Krieger making up the rest of the men's singles podium.

"The conditions gave us some really nice runs on the downwind leg coming into the beach," said the EuroSteel/Epic Kayaks athlete.

"I managed to get a gap on the first lap and then managed to hold off a charging Grant van der Walt on the second lap to claim the win," he added.

Hank McGregor dominated from the start

After missing the start of the series, McGregor has taken a stranglehold on the men's title race with his unbeaten run since he re-joined the weekly showdowns. It will be interesting to see whether he maintains his presence in the next two races, squeezed into five days before the FNB Dusi Canoe Marathon.

Intrigue

Nixon was thrilled with her win in the women's race in the moderate downwind conditions, adding real intrigue to a women's series that has seen the top three places juggled regularly amongst the world class field of female surfski paddlers contesting the Durban Bay Friday night hit-outs.

"The ladies race started with quite a charge. Donna Winter and Michelle Burn shot out of the blocks," said Euro Steel/Carbonology Sports' Nixon.

"Bridgitte Hartley and I had some serious work to do to catch up to those two rocket ships, but we managed to be all together by the first turn can. Then Bridgitte and I got away, racing stroke for stroke, pushing each other to see who would fall off the pace," said Nixon.

Hartley opened up a hundred metre lead on the outbound leg, and looked to have a vital race win in her grasp. But Nixon retooled her race plan, as she did in her recent Perth Doctor win, and by the end of the first lap she had caught Hartley as they turned into the tricky leg that was being battered by the side swell.

"In those conditions, it can be quite hard because your boat is being thrown around quite a bit, I focused on taking those hits and keeping my rhythm and managed to get away from her," said Nixon.

She powered away on the second downwind leg, pacing herself against fellow male paddlers, always aware that Hartley's speed and fitness were a threat behind her.

Her win throws the women's series title race wide open, with Michelle Burn having won in big sea conditions last week, and the tenacious Bridgitte Hartley consistently racing to vital wins and podium places in the first half of the series.

Doubles

The form doubles crew of Jason Eckstrand and Richard Lowe once again laid down a scorching marker, posting the quickest time of the evening, with Lee McGregor and Tyrone Maher taking second and Travis Wilson and Bruce Wenke the third doubles prize.

Jason Eckstrand and Richard Lowe won again

Jenna Ward and Luke Nisbet, making a strong start - they won the mixed doubles category

Kyeta Purchase and Tamryn McKie romped home to take the women's doubles scalp.

Short course honours went to Matt Maroun, with the young doubles crew of Tayla Wakeling and Thomas Lovemore impressing with the fastest short course time of the evening.

Brandon Read was the first stand-up paddle boarder to cross the finish line on the beach outside Marine SLC.

The Borland Surfski Challenge presented by Marriott, Race Six of the 2017 FNB Surfski Series, takes place at 17h30 on Friday, 10 February at Marine Surf Lifesaving Club, Addington Beach. More information can be found at www.marineseries.co.za.

SUMMARY OF RESULTS – EURO STEEL SURFSKI CHALLENGE
RACE FIVE OF THE 2017 FNB SURFSKI SERIES

LONG COURSE

1. Hank McGregor 39:08
2. Grant Van Der Walt 39:51
3. Wade Krieger 40:26
4. Hamish Lovemore 40:50
5. Steve Woods 41:00
6. Gene Prato 41:32
7. Bailey De Fondaumiere 42:38
8. Jordon Clauson 43:37
9. Lee Furby 44:32
10. Gavin Searle 44:35

Women

1. Hayley Nixon 44:58
2. Bridgitte Hartley 45:13
3. Michelle Burn 46:53
4. Donna Winter 49:05
5. Pippa McGregor 49:15

Men Doubles

1. Jason Ekstrand/Richard Lowe 38:57
2. Tyron Maher/Lee McGregor 40:19
3. Travis Wilson/Justin Wenke 41:46
4. Shaun Burgin/Lee Muir 41:53
5. Linton Hope/Bruce Wenke 43:26

Women Doubles

1. Kyeta Purchase/Tamryn McKie 46:30
2. Louisa Van Staaden/Wilma Deyzel 50:06

Mixed Doubles

1. Jenna Ward/Luke Nisbet 39:36
2. Raquel Arcediano/Gareth Miles 46:53
3. Lynn3 Hauptfleisch/Derek Hauptfleisch 49:05

Junior Boys

1. Hamish Lovemore 40:50
2. Brendon Delport 42:58
3. Sabina Lawrie 5:55

SHORT COURSE

1. Matthew Maroun 26:03
2. Bruce Jackson 27:13
3. Jasper Gaylard 28:07
4. Dave Rees 28:10
5. William Dowsett 28:19
6. Andrew Atkinson 28:39
7. John Craig Springate 29:24
8. Conraad Purchase 30:13
9. Siobhan Sharp 30:15
10. Alan Beukes 30:52
11. Teegan Hardwick 31:06

Doubles

1. Tayla Wakeling/Thomas Lovemore 23:575
2. Keaton Riddle/Aston Lawson 24:38
3. Zoog Haynes/Ty Haynes 24:46
4. Ryan Roberts/Ross Roberts 25:50
5. Lance Howarth/Jade Howarth 27:10

SUP

1. Brandon Read 38:05
2. Matt Swemmer 40:06
3. Robbie de Billot 40:09