Jeep Team’s canoe king, Hank McGregor, cruised to an effortless victory on Sunday at Race#1 of the six-part Da’ Real Downwind Surfski Series, which took place in Durban North, between Umdloti and Suncoast beaches.

McGregor claimed podium in 1:12.27, ahead of second-placed Wade Krieger (1:16.01) and Jeep Team’s Barry Lewin in 3rd (1:16.29).

The series opener acted as final preparation on South African soil for McGregor’s assault on the 2015 ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships, taking place in Győr, Hungary, from 11 – 13 September.

2015 has been an epic year of outstanding achievements for McGregor, but he now faces his biggest challenge yet- defending both the K1 and K2 world titles in Hungary. In 2014, he rewrote the history books by becoming the first South African to ever win both gold medals at the World Championships in Oklahoma City, USA.

This year, the world championships are set in the ancient city of Győr, with the 35 km, highly tactical course, taking competitors through the heart of the city on the Mosoni-Duna River.

Says McGregor, “Compared to last year, I’m feeling fantastic. I’m not injured and I haven’t been sick, so touch wood, it’s been going well.”

McGregor’s first event is the K1 race on Saturday, 12 September, where he’ll be gunning for his fifth world championship K1 title. He’ll then be teaming up with Jasper Mocke to compete in Sunday’s K2 event. In 2014,the duo paddled to victory in a time of 2:03.24.