Three South African paddlers raced into the top six positions at the 2015 Maui Jim Molokai Challenge surfski ultra marathon between the Hawaiian islands of Molokai and Oahu on Sunday.
Former winner Hank McGregor was third overall behind Australians Cory Hill and Clint Robinson with Capetonian Sean Rice, the reigning world champion just behind him, and Dawid Mocké finishing sixth overall.
McGregor (Jeep Team Epic Kayaks) was a dominant force throughout the 53km race and was leading with two kilometres to go at the Portlock Point close to the finish on Oahu, only to be shaded by the two Australians in the dying moments of the race, where Hill took an inside line at the point that saw him leapfrog past McGregor and Robinson.
The race was held in fast racing conditions with a steady 15 knot wind creating exciting downwind racing conditions.
SUMMARY OF RESULTS
MAUI JIM MOLOKAI CHALLENGE 2015
1. Cory Hill (Aus) 3:22:17
2 Clint Robinson (Aus) 3:23:45
3. Hank McGregor (RSA) 3:26:13
4. Sean Rice (RSA) 3:27:14
5. Michael Booth (Aus) 3:32:11
6. Dawid Mocké (RSA) 3:33:27
7. Mark Anderson (Aus) 3:41:39
8. Jet Kenny (Aus) 3:43:20
9. Martin Kenny (Aus) c3:43:21
10.Kurt Tutt (Aus) 3:46:32