KWAZULU-NATAL, DURBAN - Ten-time World Marathon Champion and paddling legend, Hank McGregor (Jeep Team SA/Euro Steel), has been inducted into the World Paddle Awards (WPA) Academy at their awards ceremony held in Silkeborg, Denmark on the 24 February 2018. The World Paddle Awards, held annually in Europe, celebrates the remarkable men and women from the world of paddle sports along with their achievements throughout the previous calendar year.

The awards recognise the diversity of people and organisations in the paddling community and honour the hard work they put into the sport. McGregor, twice a previous winner of the Sportsman of the Year award (2014, 2015), was again one of three finalists nominated to win the 2017 Sportsman of the Year award, recognition of the year's most outstanding male athlete in any paddle sport, which was ultimately won by Peter Kauzer (Slovenia), a three-time Olympian and canoe slalom champion. 

Despite losing to Kauzer for the Sportsman Award, McGregor was overwhelmed to have received the ultimate recognition for his achievements when he was inducted into the WPA Academy, an association of the greatest living sporting legends and figureheads in paddling and also received the illustrious Academy Award.  The Academy Award, given to an outstanding athlete, is not awarded each year but can be awarded to one of the 2017 nominees at the discretion of the WPA Academy.  

The stars of this year’s awards included:

Academy Award - Hank McGregor (South Africa)

Foundation Award - Dennis Newton (Great Britain)

Junior of the Year - Barbora Dimovova (Czech Republic)

Lifetime Achievement Award - Finn Larsen (Denmark)

Media Professional of the Year - Nina Jelenc (Slovenia)

Sportsman of the Year - Peter Kauzer (Slovenia)

Sportswoman of the Year - Jessica Fox (Australia)   

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KWAZULU-NATAL, DURBAN - Ten-time World Marathon Champ and Jeep Team paddler, Hank McGregor (Jeep Team SA/Euro Steel), relished his Dusi Dream Duo with Andy Birkett (Euro Steel), a seven-time FNB Dusi Canoe Marathon winner.  With two FNB Dusi Canoe Marathon titles in 2005 and 2006, McGregor, who recently turned 40, added a 3rd Dusi title to his extensive list of achievements and became one of the few veteran paddlers to have won the Dusi. McGregor is the most multi-talented and diverse athlete across all paddle-sports. He is a multiple World and SA Flat Water Marathon Champion, multiple SA River Marathon Champion, multiple SA Surfski Champion and currently ranked #1 in the World Surfski rankings. Hank has won every major river race and surfski race in South Africa and many across the world, across all conditions.  

Hank officially reached legend status after winning another double gold in the K1 and K2 at the ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships in September 2017, repeating his historic wins in 2014 and 2016. He has paddled competitively, and been winning, for more than 20 years, and showing no signs of slowing down. In 2017, McGregor was nominated for The World Paddle Awards Sportsman of the Year. The WPA, held annually, celebrates the remarkable men and women from the world of paddle sports along with their achievements throughout the previous calendar year. 

McGregor is one of three finalists hoping to win the award on Saturday, 24 February 2018. The other two finalists are Peter Kauzer (Slovenia), a three-time Olympian and canoe slalom champion, and Tom Liebscher (Germany), Olympic and World Champion canoe sprint athlete. 

RESULTS – FNB DUSI CANOE MARATHON 2018

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 WESTERN AUSTRALIA, PERTH - Following his silver medal win at the 2017 ICF Ocean Racing World Championships, coming second to Australia’s Cory “Chill” Hill, South Africa’s multiple World Paddling Champion, Hank McGregor (Jeep Team/Euro Steel/Gara Racing Paddles), took to the oceans of Western Australia for the final World Surfski Series race, the Perth Doctor on Sunday 26th November 2017. The Doctor, the world’s premier and biggest ocean downwind paddling race, covers some 27km from Rottnest Island (aka Rotto), offshore from Perth, to Sorrento Surf Life Saving Club on the mainland. Race Day, presented with strong southerly winds, created tricky conditions to test the best of the 392 competitors. 

McGregor, the 2016 winner, was once again up against long-time rival, Cory “Chill” Hill, and still stinging a little from the previous weekend’s loss against Hill, where he was interviewed saying “first is everything, second is nothing,” raced at an average pace of 3:28 min/km, neck-and-neck, battling it out from the start, inseparable until the final dash for the beach.  McGregor fell off the pace and had to settle for second, just 17 seconds behind Hill. Rounding off the podium in 3rd was American paddler, Austin Kieffer. In the women’s race, New Zealand paddler Rachel Clarke took top honours in a time of 01:55:47, with South Africans, Kyeta Purchase and Hayley Nixon, finishing in second and third, respectively. 

Results

Men

1. Cory Hill (AUS) - 01:33:20
2. Hank McGregor (RSA) - 01:33:37
3. Austin Kieffer (USA) - 01:35:37 

Women

1. Rachel Clarke (NZL) - 01:55:47
2. Kyeta Purchase (RSA) - 01:57:10
3. Hayley Nixon (RSA) - 01:57:27 

###  EDITORS NOTES 

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DURBAN, KWAZULU-NATAL - This past Friday October 20th saw 75 local paddlers take on the 8km course from the Pirates Surf Lifesaving Club to the Durban Harbour Wall and back in Race 2 of the Wall and Back Surfski Series. Ten-time World Marathon and current World Surfski Series champ, Hank McGregor (Jeep Team/ Gara Paddles/ Euro Steel), racing in his first surfski race since winning the Gara Dolphin Coast Challenge, and claiming the South African Doubles Surfski title in August, once again showed his ocean paddling prowess, powering home a win in a time of 33:07.                                    

Second place in the men’s race went to Gene Prato in a time of 34:00, with Matt Bouman just 17 seconds behind in third place in 34:17.  “It’s been a while since I’ve raced in Durban on my ski and it was flipping awesome!” commented McGregor. McGregor, one of the finest all-round paddlers in history with multiple South African and World surfski and flat-water titles to his name, now shifts his focus to surfski paddling in preparation for the 2017 ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships in Hong Kong from 18-19 November. In the women’s race, 2016 Series winner, Jenna Ward, put on a powerful performance to finish some 8 minutes ahead of second-place finisher, Teegan Hardwick, and Alice Edwards in third. 

On Sunday, McGregor lined up at the start for the last race of the Da'Real Downwind Series – a 30km downwind race from Durban Underwater Club on Vettie’s Beach to Toti Main Beach. The current World Surfski Series champ out-paddled long-time rival, Matt Bouman, to take his second win for the weekend. Third place in the men’s race went to veteran surfski ace, Herman Chalupsky. The women’s race was won by Olympic medallist, Bridgitte Hartley, ahead of Friday’s race winner, Jenna Ward in second, and Sharon Armstrong in third. 

Race 3 of the Wall and Back series takes place on the 27th of October. Results – Wall and Back Race 2

Men

1. Hank McGregor - 00:33:07
2. Gene Prato - 00:34:00
3. Matt Bouman - 00:34:17 

Women

1. Jenna Ward - 00:42:31
2. Teegan Hardwick - 00:50:53
3. Alice Edwards - 00:51:04 

Results – Da'Real Downwind Series Race 4

Men

1. Hank McGregor
2. Matthew Bouman
3. Herman Chalupsky

 Women

1. Bridgitte Hartley
2. Jenna Ward
3. Sharon Armstrong

 ### EDITORS NOTES 

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Upcoming 2017 Illovo Suncoast Pirates Wall and Back Surfski Series events:

Race                      Date                                                     Time

3                              Friday 27 October                               5:15pm

4                              Friday 10 November                           5:30pm

5                              Friday 17 November                           5:30pm

6                              Friday 24 November                           5:30pm 

To find out more about the Wall and Back Series, go to www.wallandback.co.za 

CAMPS DRIFT, PIETERMARITZBURG, KZN –Paddling in front of his home crowd, wife Pippa and young son, Thor, 39-year-old Hank McGregor (Jeep Team/Euro Steel/Gara Racing Paddles) won the K1 and K2 World double gold medals for the third time, making him a ten-time World Canoe Marathon Champion, cementing his position as the greatest marathon paddler of all time.

The world’s best canoe marathon paddlers drew huge crowds as they took centre stage at the 2017 ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships from 7-10 September at Camps Drift in Pietermaritzburg. Having previously won six K1 and two K2 World Championship titles, McGregor was the out-and-out favourite going into the K1 and K2 Seniors event, but it’s always on the day that counts, and McGregor did not disappoint.  

In Saturday’s men’s K1, a lead group of four paddlers – McGregor, Andy Birkett (RSA), Adrián Boros (HUN) and José Ramalho (POR) – broke away from the main group before the first portage, and worked together to preserve their advantage.  The group stayed together for the remainder of the race, without any serious attempt from anyone to take the lead until the final turn. McGregor worked himself to the front of the four-man lead group. Paddling in fine form, his strength and speed on the water kept fellow South African, Birkett, on the back of the wave as they battled it out in the 500m surge to the finish.  McGregor, claiming his 7th K1 World Canoe Marathon GOLD, finished the 30km race in 02:09:37,91. Finishing half a boat length behind was Birkett with a time of 02:09:38,83. Third place went to Hungarian paddler, Adrián Boros, in a time of 02:09:39,41. 

For the men’s K2 race on Sunday, the stage was set for what promised to be an exciting end to the championships.  South African Flatwater K2 Marathon Champs, McGregor and long-time K2 partner, Jasper Mocké, jostled heavily with six other boats from the start of the fast and furious K2 title race, where McGregor suffered a gash above the left eye from the apologetic Portuguese K2 boat. The race turned to a close-fought tactical battle between South Africa, Norway, France and Spain with the Hungarians fighting their way back into contention after dropping off the pace on the second lap. The two South African boats held the lead from the last portage through to the last turn and into the final straight, but McGregor and Mocké managed to hold the lead in the sprint for the finish, crossing the line in 02:00:10,15.  Their compatriots, Andy Birkett and Jean van der Westhuyzen, were pipped by the comeback-kids, the Hungarian duo, and finished third in 02:00:11,70.  

Afterwards, McGregor, with 5 stitches in his brow, said this, “To win it here in front of the home fans with Jasper was special, and it rounded off a fantastic week for me with my family here. The South African public always knew that we were good but to watch to happen first-hand will hopefully encourage people to get into paddling. I wasn’t expecting it or going for it but it’s still sinking in.” Prior to this double gold, at the 2014 World Marathon Championships in Oklahoma City, USA, McGregor achieved the unprecedented record of Double World Champion by winning the K1 (singles) and then the K2 (doubles) Gold medals in consecutive days of racing over the marathon distance, with the same partner, Jasper Mocké.   Hank then narrowly missed out on the double gold in 2015 at the World Championships in Hungary but still came home with the gold in the singles and a silver medal in the doubles. In 2016, and now 2017, McGregor, by taking the double gold, has become the most successful and decorated marathon paddler in the world.  

McGregor is also the most multi-talented and diverse athlete across all paddle-sports. Multiple World and SA Flat Water Marathon Champion, Multiple SA River Marathon Champion, Multiple SA Surfski Champion and is the currently ranked #1 World Surfski rankings. Hank has won every major river race and Surfski race in South Africa and many across the world, across all conditions. He has the record number of Berg River Marathon wins (10), a brutal race over 4 long days through the Cape winter.  He has won numerous Umkomaas Marathon titles in rapids deemed to be the wildest white-water raced in conventional kayaks. And if you think he is just a good paddler, it must also be remembered that Hank has won what many consider to be a “running” race, the Dusi Marathon in both the singles and doubles categories with a host of top 10 finishes. Hank was awarded the inaugural Sportsman of the Year at the 2015 World Paddle Awards for his herculean paddling achievements. To receive this inaugural World Paddle award was the pinnacle of recognition he so richly deserved.  Could McGregor get the nod for the 2017 World Paddler Award to finish off his perfect 2017 season?  

RESULTS – ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships 2017

Men K1

1. Hank McGregor (RSA) - 02:09:37,91
2. Andrew Birkett (RSA) - 02:09:38,83
3. Adrián Boros (HUN) - 02:09:39,41

Men K2

1. Hank McGregor/Jasper Mocké (RSA) - 02:00:10,15
2. Adrián Boros/László Solti (HUN) - 02:00:11,46
3. Andrew Birkett/Jean van der Westhuyzen (RSA) - 02:00:11,70 

Women K1

1. Lani Belcher (GBR) - 02:05:09,65
2. Vanda Kiszli (HUN) - 02:05:15,07
3. Jennifer Egan (IRL) - 02:05:43,81

Women K2

1. Vanda Kiszli/Sãra Anna Mihalik (HUN) - 01:56:29,62
2. Renáta Csay/Alexandra Bara (HUN) - 01:56:42,90
3. Lani Belcher/Hayleigh-Jayne Mason (GBR) - 01:56:44,12

###  EDITORS NOTES 

Have a look at the following platforms to keep up to date with Jeep Team SA: #JeepTeamSA

• Website - www.jeepteam.co.za
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For more information please contact Bronwen Blunden on 079 060 1905 or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

In an epic weekend of paddling, eight-times World Marathon Champion Hank McGregor (Jeep Team/Euro Steel) and S2 partner, Lee Furby claimed a double victory, winning the KZN north coast’s 2017 Gara Dolphin Coast Challenge and claiming the South African Doubles Surfski title.It was a busy weekend for McGregor, who also won Race 3 of the Euro Steel McGregor Paddle Series at Camps Drift in Pietermaritzburg on the Friday night. Despite freezing weather conditions, the event attracted 179 paddlers of all abilities. The race broke records in terms of development paddlers – over 70 young paddlers from various academies in KZN attended the race.

Following his victory on the Friday, McGregor set off to the KZN north coast to defend his title at the two-day Gara Dolphin Coast Challenge with S2 partner, Lee Furby. The two-day stage race saw paddlers take on a 32km out-and-back route from the Durban Underwater Club on Saturday, and a 32km paddle from Zinkwazi to Salt Rock on the Sunday. McGregor and Furby dominated from the start, winning the first stage with a 20-second lead. Seasoned paddlers, McGregor and Furby finished the first stage in 02:03:44.47, with Steve Woods and Luke Nisbet second in 02:04:04.05, and in third were Gene Prato and Bailey de Fondaumiere in 02:04:18.78.

Going into Stage 2 with a solid advantage, McGregor and Furby needed to maintain their strong paddling prowess but Woods and Nisbet still forced a sprint for the finish, with McGregor and Furby beating Steve Woods and Luke Nisbet to the line, claiming consecutive stage wins. The winning duo finished the second stage in 02:14:44.03, just ahead of Woods and Nisbet, who finished in 02:15:06.43. Third place again went to Gene Prato and Bailey de Fondaumiere in a time of 02:15:57.70 “I am really stoked to take the win at the Gara Dolphin Coast Challenge and the SA Double Surfski Champs with my partner Lee Furby – it was his first national title win. We had to dig deep on Sunday to get to the finish 1st, making this win very memorable!” said McGregor after the race.

Results - 2017 Gara Dolphin Coast Challenge

Results - Euro Steel McGregor Paddle Series Race 3

Men

1. Hank McGregor - 00:34:16.63
2. Bryan Leroux - 00:34:17.35
3. Brandon van der Walt - 00:34:18.30 

Women

1. Bridgitte Hartley - 00:35:56.37
2. Emma Anderson - 00:37:06.72
3. Kerry Segal - 00:37:27.19 

### OTHER JEEP TEAM NEWS Paddling – Seamasters Downwind 2017

On 20 August, Barry Lewin (Jeep Team/ Epic Kayaks) took the win in the 2017 Seamasters Downwind surfski race in Sweden. The 25km Seamasters is a downwind, ocean race in the Baltic Sea around Oxelösund on the Swedish east coast. Now in its 7th year, the race attracts paddlers from Europe, South Africa and America.

 Results – Seamasters Downwind 2017

Men

1. Berry Lewin - 01:43:41
2. Joep van Bakel - 01:44:31
3. Tommy Karls - 01:49:22 

Women

1. Eva Egnell - 02:27:41
2. Sara Hult - 02:40:16 

###  EDITOR’S NOTES

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Photo Credit: Anthony Grote/ Gameplan Media  Have a look at the following platforms to keep up to date with Jeep Team SA: #JeepTeamSA

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A K2 Gold and a K1 Silver medal is how the world’s most successful paddler ended his South African Marathon Team selection campaign at the South African Flatwater Marathon Canoeing Championships at Camps Drift, Pietermaritzburg this past weekend.Hank McGregor (Jeep Team, Euro Steel) knew there were just two spots on the national team in each age division and with the ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships just under a month away, only the best of South Africa’s paddling crop would make it through K1 and K2 selection.

The paddling giant, McGregor, made no mistakes.In Saturday’s K1 title race, reigning World Marathon Champion, McGregor, battled it out against seven-time Dusi Canoe Marathon winner, Andy Birkett and Czech national team paddler, Jakub Adam. The final lap of the sought-after K1 title race ended in a sprint for finish with Birkett pipping McGregor to the line by just two seconds in 02:12:16 with McGregor in 02:12 18, and Adam in 02:12:20. The K1 result ensures Birkett and McGregor will represent South Africa at the highly anticipated, ICF World Marathon Champs to be held in South Africa at Pietermaritzburg’s Camps Drift from 8 to 10 September. 

Said a happy Hank McGregor, “Job done - selection for the South African Marathon Team. It was some awesome racing in PMB. I really enjoyed my race and am stoked to be racing marathons again. I’m really looking forward to World Champs with my fellow team mate, Andy Birkett!” The men's K2 race was just as fast and furious after whittling down to just four boats turning for the final 800m dash to the finish of the eight-lap, 30km race with Hank McGregor/Jasper Mocké, Andy Birkett/Jean Van der Westhuyzen, Stuart Maclaren/ Kenneth Rice, and Brandon van der Walt/Clint Cook all firing for the line. McGregor and Mocké reigned victorious beating Birkett and van der Westhuyzen by just two seconds in 02:03:13. Birkett and van der Westhuyzen (02:03:15) fought to the line to beat third placed Maclaren and Rice by just one second in the most exciting K2 finish of all time.  "This was the first time Jasper and I jumped into a boat together since last year's world championships in Brandenberg. It was cat and mouse all the way to the finish. We managed to find our rhythm as the day went along, and were trying out new things to better ourselves because in the end, a win by a split second or two is all you have. Everything helps." said McGregor. 

Results - SA Flatwater Marathon Championships

Men K1

1. Andy Birkett - 02:12:16
2. Hank McGregor - 02:12:18
3. Jakub Adam - 02:12:20 

Men K2

• Hank McGregor/Jasper Mocké - 02:03:13
• Andrew Birkett/Jean Van der Westhuyzen - 02:03:15
• Stuart Maclaren/Kenneth Rice - 02:03:16 

Women K1

1. Bridgitte Hartley - 02:02:28
2. Melanie Van Niekerk - 02:10:27
3. Nikki Russell - 02:11:06 

Women K2 J

enna Ward/Nikki Russell 01:58:53 Bridgitte Hartley/Kyeta Purchase 01:59:40 Hayley Nixon/Michelle Burn 02:01:00 

###  EDITOR’S NOTES 

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Photo Credit: Louis Hattingh/Gameplan Media Have a look at the following platforms to keep up to date with Jeep Team SA: #JeepTeamSA

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2017 ICF Canoe Marathon World Championship The event will be hosted by Canoeing South Africa through Natal Canoe Club (NCC) at Camps Drift in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal from 8 to 10 September 2017. The week-long competition will start with the traditional Masters Cup races for Veteran and Master age group paddlers and para-athletes, before the spotlight shifts to the junior, Under 23, and senior men and women. Provisional ScheduleICF Canoe Marathon Masters World Cup

• Sunday 3 September
  • Masters Briefing, Course Open for Practice
    
    
• Monday 4th September 2017
  • Masters and Para K1 Events
    
    
• Tuesday 5th September 2017
  • Masters and Mixed K2 Events
    
    
• Wednesday 6th September 2017
  • Masters Cup Reserve Day, Meetings and Opening Ceremony
    
    
• Thursday, 7 September 2017
  • Junior Women K1, C1
  • U23 Women K1
  • Junior Men K1, C1
    
    
• Friday, 8 September 2017
  • Junior Women K2
  • U23 Men K1,
  • C1 Junior Men K2,C2
    
    
• Saturday, 9 September 2017
  • Women C1, K1
  • Men K1, C1
    
    
• Sunday, 10 September 2017
  • Women K2
  • Men K2, C2
  • Closing Ceremony

More information can be found at www.wmc2017.co.za 

PIETERMARITZBURG, 12 July 2017 – Sunday, 9 July 2017, saw multiple World Marathon Champion, Hank McGregor (Jeep Team), clinch the win at the first race of the Bay Union Open Ocean Surfski Challenge 2017. The 12km race opener had perfect weather and sea conditions for a stunner of a race, attracted a large field of 75 paddlers including seven-time Dusi winner, Andy Birkett, plus Wade Krieger, Gene Prato, and seasoned masters, Bruce Wenke and Linton Hope. 

McGregor, fresh from his victory at the Mauritius Ocean Classic last weekend, was slow off the start line after a paddle mix up but got to the front with ease and kept it to the finish line, finishing in 00:56:31, only seven seconds ahead Andy Birkett in 00:56:38 with third placed Gene Prato in 00:57:45.  Say Hank McGregor “I am really happy I had the chance to be part of today’s race. The conditions were ideal and I am really happy that such a large field came out to enjoy the conditions.

It was a brilliant day out to be racing.”   Next on McGregor’s racing calendar is the Canadian Surfski Championships at Howe Sound in Vancouver, Canada from 15-16 July, followed by the Gorge Downwind Championship on the Columbia River Gorge near Oregon in the United States from 18-22 July.  

Bay Union Open Ocean Challenge Series Long Course

Men

1. Hank McGregor - 00:56:31
2. Andy Birkett - 00:56:38
3. Gene Prato - 00:57:45 

Women

1. Nikki Russell - 01:03:38
2. Michelle Burn - 01:04:18
3. Kyeta Purchase - 01:05:10 

### OTHER JEEP TEAM NEWS  OCR -Thomas van Tonder - Breakout Challenge #3On Saturday, 8th of July 2017, athletes descended upon the OCT South Obstacle Course Training Centre in Mulbarton to participate in Race 3 of The OCT Breakout Challenge obstacle course race (OCR). 

OCT South is set in the picturesque, Thaba Trails in the south of Johannesburg. The course included running, climbing, jumping, crawling, swimming and balancing elements with the aim of testing speed, endurance and mental strength. Thomas van Tonder (Jeep Team) competed in the Silent Assassin Challenge 15km/30 obstacles race. After a tough race, he managed 3rd place in a time of 01:40:34 behind overall winner, Bradley Claase in 01:29:07, and second-placed, Greg Avierinos in 01:37:3.  Says van Tonder, “I’m super stoked to take home 3rd place in today’s race after a long break from OCR. Well done to everyone who took part, it was a gruelling day out.” 

Results – Breakout Challenge Men

1. Bradley Claase - 01:29:07
2. Greg Avierinos - 01:37:31
3. Thomas van Tonder - 01:40:34  

Women

1. Michelle Meyer - 02:31:31
2. Sam Gilchrist - 02:32:15

##

EDITORS NOTES

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Upcoming Bay Union Open Ocean Surfski Challenge Races: (all races at Durban Underwater Club, Durban) 

• Citadel Race         16 July 2017
• Geriatskis Race    23 July 2017
• Geriatskis Race    30 July 2017

For more info, visit http://oosc.co.za/

Have a look at the following platforms to keep up to date with Jeep Team SA

#JeepTeamSA

• Website - www.jeepteam.co.za
• Facebook - www.facebook.com/jeepteamsa
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• Instagram - JeepTeamSA                                        

PIETERMARITZBURG, 07 JULY 2017 – The world’s top paddlers descended upon Tamassa Resort in Mauritius this past weekend to compete in the Investec Mauritius Ocean Classic, Round 1 of the 2017 ICF Ocean Racing World Cup. The Mauritius Ocean Classic, a World Surfski Series title race, now in its ninth year, has established itself as one of the best downwind courses in the World Series.                                         

The 23km race from Tamassa Resort to Le Morne featured a stellar field of South African paddlers, including four-time winner and defending champ, Hank McGregor (Jeep Team SA), SA Single Surfski Champ, Jasper Mocké, four-time World Surfski Series Champion, Dawid Mocké, and seven-time Dusi winner, Andy Birkett. McGregor, the current World Surfski Series Champion paddled to his fifth Mauritius Ocean Classic title in 01:15:08, over a minute ahead of second-placed Dawid Mocké, in 01:16:15 and third placed, Jasper Mocké in 01:16:57. 

Results – Investec Mauritius Ocean Classic 2017 – 23km Wildsider Race

Men

1. Hank McGregor    01:15:08

2. Dawid Mocké        01:16:15

3. Jasper Mocké       01:16:57 

Women

1. Michelle Burn         01:27:59

2. Nikki Mocké           01:31:45

3. Wendy Reyntjes    01:33:47 

###  EDITOR’S NOTES

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PIETERMARITZBURG, 30 JUNE 2017 – Saturday, 24 June, saw South Africa’s top surfski paddlers fight it out for the FNB Durban Downwind title, as well as the South African Singles Surfski Champion crown. Surfski paddlers from around the country gathered in Durban for an exciting 26km downwind challenge from La Mercy to Marine Surf Lifesaving Club, with the elite paddlers aiming to qualify for the South African team for the ICF Ocean Racing World Championships in Hong Kong in November.

At La Mercy, the race set off with a backline start, where huge surf made it difficult for the paddlers to get out to the start line. Nineteen paddlers, including Dusi Champ, Andy Birkett, were forced to withdraw after breaking their skis in the backline break. 

Current World Surfski Series champion, Hank McGregor (Jeep Team), faced a serious challenge from Euro Steel’s Jasper Mocké as it came down to the line. McGregor opted for a straight-line course closer ashore, while Mocké and his brother Dawid, chose a deep-water line. McGregor struggled through the surf coming in, beaching earlier than expected, and had to run to the finish line. Mocké, lining up his run, picked his way through the surf right to the finish. 

Despite running to the finish along the beach, McGregor finished less than one second behind Jasper Mocké, and clinched a slot in the national team for the World Champs. Third place went to Dawid Mocké, who won a sprint race with Kenny Rice for the last podium spot. 

Results – FNB Durban Downwind 2017

Men

1. Jasper Mocké       1:29:18.54

2. Hank McGregor    1:29:19.13

3. Dawid Mocké        1:29:55.32 

Women

1. Michelle Burn       1:42:58.20

2. Hayley Nixon       1:44:05.68

3. Nikki Russell       1:45:07.59 

Doubles

1. Zoog Haynes/Lance Howarth  1:32:48.69

2. Donna Winter/Shaun Burgin    1:37:18.48

3. Bruce Wenke/Justin Wenke     1:42:56.54 

###  EDITOR’S NOTES  

FNB Durban Downwind informationThe Durban Downwind began its journey as Durban’s premier downwind surfski race in June 2014 when it hosted the South African Surfski Championships, ultimately won by Jasper Mocké and Nicole Russell respectively. In 2015 the race was added to the World Surfski Series calendar as a title race and with this came a new format of one race rather than a five-leg series, with a window period of two days. 

This window period worked well and the wind blew 25 knots for the paddlers from around SA and abroad to enjoy during the S1 clash. The race was won for the first time by a foreign paddler as Michael Booth from Australia clinched a nail biting finish with Dawid Mocké and Matthew Bouman finishing second and third respectively in the closest race of the world series for the year, and in 2016, Hank McGregor put his name on the Durban Downwind title list. With the awesome backing of title sponsor, FNB the event boasts an amazing R10 000 prize purse across its various age categories. 

For more info, visit www.durbandownwind.co.za 

Photo Credit: Gameplan Media   Written and Distributed by Hot Salsa Media on behalf of Jeep Team SAAll enquiries to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. / 0894 486 2136 Thank you.   

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