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Nostradamus would have been proud.
In my newsletter the day before the ICF Ocean Racing World Championships a few days ago, I predicted the following: "Local Aussie, Cory Hill, looks like the man to beat in the men's category. Hank, the brothers Fenn, Mark Keeling, Nic Notten, and defending champion Kenny Rice, will be looking to ensure that the SA anthem is played at the medal ceremony. Uli Hart is one of our best hopes of a gold in the U23 section. Jemma Smith will start as favourite in the women's category, but will be challenged strongly by Michelle Burn, Melanie Van Niekerk and Kira Bester. Kira will have an excellent chance of winning the U23's, where she will be joined by Saskia Hockly who should also podium".
And, as they say in the good book "so it came to pass".
Cory Hill did, indeed, win the race, with Hank, unable to secure that elusive title, claiming the silver, almost a minute behind. The older brother Fenn, Joshua, snatching the last place on the overall podium. Cory had a comfortable lead, but the race for the next 3 places was almost unbelievable. After 21kms of racing, on completely different lines, Germany's Gordon Harbrecht, Hank, and Josh hit the beach at the finish, almost simultaneously, with Gordon having a slight lead. In the run up the beach to the finish line, Hank went from 4th to 2nd, and Gordon went from 2nd to 4th.
Jemma Smith won the women's race by a minute and a half from Michelle Burn, with Kira Bester finishing third overall, and laying her hands on the U23 title at the same time. Saskia Hockly ensuring that SA had another presence on the U23 podium by finishing 3rd.
The U23 men dominated, with Matt Fenn getting one over his team mate Uli Hart, cluttering up the top steps.
The juniors were not to be outdone, with Holly Smith comfortably winning gold, and Heath Clarke having the bronze placed around his neck.
Although the Aussies managed to win both the men's and women's titles, South Africa managed to convincingly win the team prize, to be crowned the World Champions, yet again, this time, in the Aussies own back yard.
Some interesting facts about the event this year:
- The event was held the week after an exciting series of races which culminated in the famous "Perth Doctor", a race from Rottnest Island to Sorrento beach.
- It was the first time that the "race window" rule had been utilised, with the race day being changed from the originally planned Saturday, to the Thursday before, in order to take advantage of better conditions. In retrospect, the decision turned out to be the correct one.
- It was the first time that the world championships has ever been held in Australia, one of the world's leading surfski nations.
- It was the first time that an official world mixed doubles championships was held (ironically, not being won by either Australia or South Africa, but by Spain)
- The depth and standard of racing was absurdly high, even in the masters classes. For example, in the men's 50 to 54 age group alone, there were 50 finishers.
We are going to have our work cut out to match this when we host the event in 2025.
Staying with surfski. This time, at home. The Iconic Cape Point Challenge is due to be held tomorrow.
From all reports, it looks as though the weather conditions appear to be favourable, and the race is set to be held over the original course, around the Cape Point.
If this happens, it will be the first time in 6 years that the race organisers have not changed the course due to safety concerns, and held it within False Bay.
Although many of the country's top paddlers will be in contention, the field is a lot smaller than in previous years.
This often happens in the years when the PE to East London is held.
The changing of the course over the past few years may also be a contributing factor.
Either way, it is one of the most famous surf ski races in the world, in a beautiful setting, and any race which finishes with the renowned "Millers Run" will always be attractive.
Another extremely attractive race venue is Underberg, and the crystal clean Umzimkhulu river.
This weekend is the KZN mixed doubles championships.
Many of the locals will be heading up, to take advantage of the river that has been blessed with some early rains, and to do a little "scouting" in preparation for the Drak Challenge early in the new year.
Whilst on the subject of river races, the Dusi organisers have announced further changes to the race course for the PMB to Durban classic next year.
For the first time last year, the race did not start at Camps Drift in Pietermaritzburg, but was moved to Bishopstowe, in order to cut out a section of river that often had high levels of E.coli.
This change made Day 1 significantly shorter, but still left Day 2 as a huge slog for many.
The organisers have now changed the finish of day one to a venue just after the "put in" of the second saddle.
This change will lengthen Day 1 and shorten Day 2, so that they will almost end up being the same distance.
They will also be making Finger Neck a compulsory paddle, in order to lengthen the paddling section of day one.
These are brave decisions, motivated by positive suggestions from paddlers.
There are a number of small, yet exciting events over the Christmas break (Fast Drak, Sporty Anderson ski race, etc), before we get back to a full calendar of events in the new year.
To all who are travelling and paddling over the holiday period, be safe and enjoy. |
