Varsity College Marine Surf Ski Series Media Release

 vcmsss1005

29 Jan 2010

Hank McGregor wins thriller series sprint finish

Durban - Hank McGregor won a thrilling three boat sprint to the finish to claim victory in the Hansa Surfski Challenge on Friday evening, and in the process rocketing himself to the joint top of the standings in the Varsity College Marine Surfski Series.

Racing in ideal flat glassy conditions under overcast skies McGregor quickly broke away with the winner of the last series race Matt Bouman and U23 marathon world champ Grant van der Walt.

The trio were locked together as they ended the second lap of the race, setting up a sprint to the finish at the last turning buoy off uShaka beach.

McGregor put the hammer down to edge out Bouman, with series defending champ Van der Walt having to settle for third at the end of a fiercely contested race.

McGregor missed the first race of the series as he was competing in the Perth Surfski World Cup races two weeks ago, but has signalled that he will be a considerable force to be reckoned with for the remainder of the Varsity College Marine Surfski Series.

In the doubles race, the perennial pacesetters Herman Chalupsky and Andre Pohl consolidated their position at the top of the series standings with another comprehensive victory, cruising home almost a full minute clear of the crew of Matthew Collin and Quinton Rutherford.

The women's title fell to Varsity College student Michele Eder. Racing in her first summer series race the Toti star was in a class of her own as she romped to a comprehensive victory in the fast flat conditions.

The winner of the series pipe-opener Donna Winter finished second ahead of teenager Jenna Ward.

The third race of the Varsity College Marine Surf Ski Series, The Sunday Tribune Surfski Challenge takes place next Friday evening 12 February at 5:30 from Ushaka Beach


SUMMARY OF RESULTS
HANSA SURFSKI CHALLENGE
LEG 2 OF THE VARSITY COLLEGE MARINE SURF SKI SERIES
Long Course Singles -   Men
1.Hank McGregor 34:25
2.Matt Bouman 34:32
4.Brandon van der Walt 37:15 (1st Junior)
5.Oliver Burn 37:22
6.Nic Burden 37:33
7.Oscar Chalupsky 38:01
8.Mark Lewin 38:47
9.Ian Marais 38:56
10.Matt Carlisle 39:23

Long Course Singles -   Women
1.Michelle Eder 40:03
2.Donna Winter 41:13
3.Jenna Ward 46:36 (Jnr)

Long Course Doubles -   Men
1.Herman Chalupsky/Andre Pohl 34:20
2.Matthew Collins/Quinton Rutherford 35:10
3.Dirk van den Bergh/Mark Essery 35:39
4.Gavin Searle/Neil Evans 35:40
5.Marc Mulder/Angelique Mulder 36:04 (1st Mixed double)

Short Course Singles
1.Jade Wilson 22:58 (1st Woman)
2.Matthew Elliott 23:30
3.Kyle Winterburn 24:23
4.Joshua Howells 24:30
5.Richard de Rauville 24:39

Short Course Doubles
1.Brandon Uys/Taryn Uys 22:36
2.Mike Borland/Tamryn Borland 22:37
3.Derick Hauptfleisch/Dannika Hauptfleisch 22:49
4.Malec Odendaal/Shannon Elion 23:24
5.Sharon Armstrong/Tony Bath 24:17

ENDS

Thumbnail image	Caption	Photographer credit	Download
	Varsity College Marine Surf Ski Series Logo
	Hank McGregor races away at the start of the Hansa Surfski Challenge that formed the second leg of the Varsity College Marine Surf Ski Series.	Anthony Grote/ Gameplan Media
	Hank McGregor powers home to win the the Hansa Surfski Challenge that formed the second leg of the Varsity College Marine Surf Ski Series.	Anthony Grote/ Gameplan Media
	Michelle Eder posted an emphatic victory in the women's race of the Hansa Surfski Challenge that formed the second leg of the Varsity College Marine Surf Ski Series.	Anthony Grote/ Gameplan Media
	Defending champ Grant van der Walt crashes through the surf at the start of the Hansa Surfski Challenge that formed the second leg of the Varsity College Marine Surf Ski Series.	Anthony Grote/ Gameplan Media
	Two sibling world champions, Brandon van der Walt (left) and Grant van der Walt) before the start of  the Hansa Surfski Challenge that formed the second leg of the Varsity College Marine Surf Ski Series.	Anthony Grote/ Gameplan Media
	Jon Ivins pushes through the surf at the start of the Hansa Surfski Challenge that formed the second leg of the Varsity College Marine Surf Ski Series.	Anthony Grote/ Gameplan Media
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