McGREGOR’S DREAM WELL & TRULY ALIVE AFTER VICTORY AT SOUTH AFRICAN CHAMPIONSHIPS
When Hank McGregor joined The Paddler’s Pod just two days before the South African surfski championships, there was only one thing front of mind.
“It is the one title I would love to hold, to say that I’m the ICF Ocean Racing World Champion,” he said during an expansive interview.
“I’ve never shied away from a fight or a challenge and I’m not going to start either.”
That burning ambition has carried McGregor one step closer to his dream.
The 44 year-old upstaged a field stacked with star power to win his fourth-straight national surfski title in Cape Town yesterday afternoon.
Organisers held the race start back as long as possible to capitalise on a strengthening south-easterly wind, and after a 7-kilometre headwind grind to the turn, competitors were treated to a flying 15-kilometre downwind to the finish at Fish Hoek beach.
McGregor crossed the line in a time of 1:28:28, 22 seconds ahead of Kenny Rice (1:28:50), in what was his first race since switching manufacturers to Fenn.
Reigning ICF World Champion Nick Notten (1:29:23) was third, with Uli Hart (1:29:34) and Mark Keeling (1:30:13) rounding out the top five.
“I’m pretty stoked to retain my title,” McGregor says.
“[From the start] everyone was obviously jousting to get to priority position.
“I managed to turn [ on the tail of Mark Keeling and Uli Hart in third, and just put the head down and after 200 metres I was ahead and didn’t look back from here.
“It was pretty hard racing into the sun, and not being my hometown, I felt like I was getting hunted down all of the way to the finish.”
“I had a great race, I felt strong and I’m just really, really stoked to win the title and national team selection as well.
“I guess I beat the current World Champion in his hometown… I’ll take that one too.”
At this stage, it’s unclear how the South African team will look at the World Championships.
Uli Hart is an Under 23 athlete, so it can be assumed that Jasper Mocke, who finished sixth overall, will gain selection on the senior team.
An official announcement on the powerhouse nation’s line-up will be made in the coming weeks.
To view the full results of the South African surfski championships, click here.
The women’s race came right down to the wire, but it was Melanie Van Niekerk who emerged victorious – and with a maiden national crown.
The back-to-back Cape Point Challenge winner crossed in a time of 1:44:55, just six seconds ahead of Kira Bester (1:45:01) in what was a thrilling sprint finish.
Current ICF World Champion Michelle Burn 1:45:14 came in third, ahead of Nix Birkett (1:46:40) and Saskia Hockly (1:47:43).
The women’s race came right down to the wire, but it was Melanie Van Niekerk who emerged victorious – and with a maiden national crown.
The back-to-back Cape Point Challenge winner crossed in a time of 1:44:55, just six seconds ahead of Kira Bester (1:45:01) in what was a thrilling sprint finish.
Current ICF World Champion Michelle Burn 1:45:14 came in third, ahead of Nix Birkett (1:46:40) and Saskia Hockly (1:47:43).
