MacGregor, Nixon win SA Single Ski Champs
Hank McGregor executed another flawless championships double
Credits: John Hishin, Cape Town Sport Photography
Cape Town: Following their double ski wins on Saturday at the Freedom Paddle, Durban-based surfski stars Hank McGregor and Hayley Nixon won the men’s and women’s singles titles respectively at the Strand on Sunday.
Nowhere to hide
Aside from some easily negotiated surf, the sea off Strand was completely flat, leaving the paddlers with nowhere to hide for a grinding 21km slog.
Punching through the waves, the paddlers headed out to a turn buoy 800m off the beach, turning left towards Gordon’s Bay before heading out to sea along the spectacular cliffs towards Steenbras Point. Finally, they headed back to the finish at Strand, searching (mostly in vain) for small bumps to surf along the way.
Competitive
The race took on a much more competitive nature than the Freedom Paddle, according to men’s winner McGregor.
“Saturday’s race was the climax of the weekend with regards to excitement and fun but we arrived at the race on Sunday with a far more serious attitude,” the Euro Steel/Fenn Kayaks star said.
“There was zero assistance from the ocean and everything to play for with national selection on the line, but I was really happy to get my title back after Jasper (Mocke) won the national champs for two years in a row.
“Sunday was very different from Saturday in that it was an out-and-out race.
“Saturday we had the pleasure of paddling around Robben Island with Table Mountain in the background but Sunday was hard racing.”
The experienced McGregor surged into the lead on the way back to Strand and held on against a charging Kenny Rice all the way to the finish to claim another national crown. (Fun fact: the leaders averaged 13.7kph/8.5mph over the 21km course... Respect!)
Kenny Rice ended in second spot while defending champion Jasper Mocke had to settle for third.
Women’s Race
In the womens’ race it was world champion Nixon who came out on top following an uncompromising race against a strong field.
“Wow, it was really, really tough day out there on Sunday,” the Euro Steel/Carbonology star said. “There were just so many challenges, a new course, a new area that I have never paddled in, an interesting triangular out-and-back course and super flat conditions.”
Hayley Nixon, SA and World Surfski Champion
Racing two days in a row for national titles was going to be tough and Saturday’s racing made Sunday’s race that much more difficult.
“Saturday’s race was by no means a chilled paddle and it took it out of me,” Nixon said. “When I got to the start, I was quite sore and conscious of the fact that it was going to take a lot to have a good race in my single.”
Nixon and Bianca Beavitt got away early but were hunted down by Nikki Birkett and the trio had a dice for the line over the last twelve kilometres.
Nikki Birkett, bronze medalist.
“In the final run-in it became a bit of a mind-game,” Nixon said. “I tried to be as conservative as possible, but Bianca pushed really hard and Nikki went with her.
“For a large portion of that final twelve kays I was behind the other girls, but I went back to my training and thought that if I could be consistent, I should be able to catch them and pass them.
“I think I got past the other girls with about four kays to go and it was the best I had felt since we turned for home.”
Ecstatic
Nixon was ecstatic that she could back up her Saturday performance with a strong win on Sunday against a good field.
“It was such an honour to win the double against a women’s field that keeps on getting stronger and stronger.”
In the age group tussles, Josh Fenn and Sabina Lawrie took home the Under 23 crowns while Uli Hart and Zara Wood won the junior national titles.
More information can be found at www.canoesa.org.za
SUMMARY OF RESULTS - South African Singles Surfski Championships
Overall
- Hank McGregor 1:36:11
- Kenny Rice 1:36:27
- Jasper Mocké 1:37:25
- Nick Notten 1:37:26
- Andy Birkett 1:38:00
- Josh Fenn (U23) 1:39:07
- Graeme Solomon 1:39:31
- Uli Hart (U18) 1:39:58
- Stu MacLaren 1:40:38
- Dawid Mocké 1:41:34
Women
- Hayley Nixon 1:49:14
- Bianca Beavitt 1:49:42
- Nikki Birkett 1:50:11
- Sabina Lawrie (U23) 1:54:58
- Bridgitte Hartley 1:56:12
- Michelle Burn 1:57:05
- Melanie van Niekerk 1:57:32
- Jessica Pollock 2:02:53
- Zara Wood (U18) 2:04:04
- Kira Bester (U18) 2:07:18
Under 23 Men
- Josh Fenn 1:39:07
- Uli Hart (U18) 1:39:58
- Mark Keeling 1:43:42
- Daniel Jacobs 1:44:42
- Matt Fenn (U18) 1:44:52
Under 23 Women
- Sabina Lawrie 1:54:58
- Zara Wood (U18) 2:04:04
- Kira Bester (U18) 2:07:18
Under 18 Boys
- Uli Hart 1:39:58
- Matt Fenn 1:44:52
- Jake Schoeman 1:52:26
Under 18 Girls
- Zara Wood 2:04:04
- Kira Bester 2:07:18
- Jade Wilson 2:09:44