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South African surfski paddlers recently hit the headlines in Hawaii as
Hayley Nixon won the women's race of the Maui Jim Molokai Challenge, and
Hank McGregor and Jasper Mocké raced onto the men's podium in second and
third, respectively. Nixon, racing in her first-ever start at the
53-km crossing of the fabled Channel of Bones, broke the women's course
record in the process, and said she was elated at the achievement.
Nixon, the reigning world women's surfski champion, finished two minutes
ahead of the Kiwi, Rachel Clarke, with Australian, Jordan Mercer, another
two minutes further back.
"The women's field was the most packed it has ever been. It was quite
daunting for me because I only confirmed that I was coming to the event
three weeks before, so I didn't have those months of mental preparation.
"I had a lot of faith in my coach Linton and the way we trained, and I knew
that I would be able to transition across to the long distances.
"The race was cut-throat from start to finish," she added.
McGregor was locked in a fierce duel with Australian star, Corey Hill, which
he lost by 30 seconds, with fellow South African, Jasper Mocké, taking the
last spot on the podium.
Oscar Chalupsky finished ninth overall, just seven weeks after major
shoulder surgery. |
