Conditions cleared up with an almost offshore for the early this morning, but by race time (slightly delayed) onshore was up, making a difficult (slightly changed) course.
Couple of hiccups getting the race underway, but I am told these things rarely run smoothly and as the first event I’ve done, learned a lot along the way.
A big thanks to Jamie Mitchell, who just rocked up to have a look in at the race, and ended up going out in the IRB to correctly reposition the marker buoys, and then taking the microphone to give running commentary and interviews throughout the race. No-one could have done it better, and the race would not have been the same without his input.
Huge effort put in by all competitors, with Travis taking out the Pro Mens division after taking the lead from the start. It was far from an easy race for him though, as hot on his heels was Jacko, followed by Kelly, Peasi, and Macca (1st Open), all trading places throughout the race with a lot of offs all round.
Shakira blitzed the Pro Womens coming 10th overall, and Jenny Ryan and Angie had a battle going that saw Jen getting away in the later stage of the race. Alison Fulagar (Ali Cat) put in a never-say-die effort to complete the course and finish fourth, limping over the finish line, after injuring her hip. Fantastic to see the girls giving the blokes a run for their money.
The Amateurs category was also hotly contested, with GSI’s Jamie Willems taking out the class and winning his own prize offering, which was handed on to second placed Ben Cox. Danny Sheard was right behind these two to round off the podium.
Pro Mens
Travis Grant 1st DC
Paul Jackson 2nd Naish Catalina
Kelly Margetts 3rd Lahui Kai
Troy Pease 4th Secret Agent
Andy Davies 5 DC
Peter Dorries 6
Woogie Marsh 7 Coreban Alpha
Dale Chapman 8 DC
Greg Long 9 Lahui Kai
Simon Hunnybun 10 Deep
Gavin Smith 11 DC
Mark Horsfeld 12 DC
Pro Womens
Shakira Wesdorp 1st Lahui Kai
Jenny Ryan 2nd DC
Angela Jackson 3rd SIC
Alison Fulagar 4th Lahui Kai
Open/Over 40′s
Nick McDonald 1st Naish Glide
Mick DiBetta 2nd Lahui Kai
Steve Quiller 3rd Naish Glide
Steve Walker 4th Naish Glide
Alain Teurquetil 5 DC
Noel Graham 6
Brett Williams 7
Scott Shambrook 8
Peter Turner 9
Julian Blanchard 10
Novice
Jamie Willems 1st 12′ 7S
Ben Cox 2nd
Danny Sheard 3rd Kalama 11’6
Justin Holland 4th
Chris Chamberlain 5 BiG ReD
Matt Prior 6 12′ 7S
Aaron Prior 7
Wayne Johnstone
Serge Pasquarelli 9
Rod Clark 10
Andrew Edhouse 11 PSH 9’2!
Salatiela Cockburn 12
Jason Voght 13
Kylie Seabrook 14
Cory Godfrey 15
Peter Morley 16
