The ocean ski racing world championships has been run and won for another year and the win was South Africa’s sole representative – Hank McGregor. Pre-race favourite Clint Robinson from Australia duelled with McGregor at the head of the race for over 2 hours before succumbing to cramps and finishing well back, while Australia’s Tim Jacobs and two time defending champion Tahitian Lewis Laughlin paddled steady races to take the remaining places on the podium respectively. The women’s race was dominated by New Zealand’s Katie Pocock, who beat home Australian Naomi Flood and Hawai’i’s Lauren Bartlett.

Conditions were less than ideal however, with the calmest conditions on record meaning that this was a race for the marathon kayak paddlers. McGregor – the 2003 world flat water marathon champion - was in his element and made a break from the gun. Only Robinson went with him and the two exchanged turns at the front to establish a healthy lead of over 200m from the chasing Tim Jacobs.

One of the pre-race favourites (Oceanpaddler.com’s own) Dean Gardiner pulled out of the race due to a flu, which was a shame given he claims he was in his best physical shape for 6-8 years (i.e. since winning his last Molokai in 2002 ?). Other prominent South Africans Oscar & Herman Chalupsky, Clint Pretorius and Dawid Mocke also didn’t even leave the country due to a variety of reasons: injury, disinterest and (pending) family members !

In the battle of South Africa vs Australia it was 1 against 50 and while Hank was possibly the best credentialed paddler in the field – particularly given the flat conditions - he was also alone in the battle to regain some balance in the 15-13 (Australia’s way) historical standings. It mattered little though as McGregor first broke Robinson, then maintained and finally extended his lead over the chasing Jacobs. After successive runners up results in Hawai’i behind Lewis Laughlin, McGregor finally has his first win. Congratulations from all at Oceanpaddler.com to Hank !

Full results as follows:

We hope to bring you some pictures and additional commentary in the coming days. Congratualations to all particpants and let's hope that the Aussies can redress the balance in 2010 - no winner in the men's race since 2002 !