Durban – The renowned, age old rivalry between two of the world’s top surfski competitors, Matt Bouman and Hank McGregor, resumed again for the first time this Varsity College FNB Surfski Series at Friday evening’s Thule Surfski Challenge with Bouman getting a rare victory over the six time Marathon World Champion.

The pair have gone head to head with one another in a fascinating, sometimes ferocious, yet ultimately hugely respectful manner for more than a decade which, despite neck-and-neck encounters on a near weekly basis, has seen McGregor gain the supremacy on the scoreboard in recent years.

That, however, wasn’t going to deter Bouman from staking a claim for the Thule Surfski Challenge spoils and, after yet another hotly contested affair, it was the Epic Kayaks star who managed to pull one back on McGregor.

“These are the only races I really like winning; when everyone’s there racing,” explained Bouman.

“Hank (McGregor) coming along and racing makes it all worth it (for me)!” he added.

Despite the ability of all of his fellow elite stars, Bouman’s downing of McGregor remains his primary goal weekly.

“We’re all going really fast, the times we’re all doing and the speeds we’re going at is just ridiculous!

“Hank has had the psychological edge over me though; physically we’re the same but in recent times he’s managed to manage me better – which has been both incredibly frustrating and extremely intriguing – but it was great to get one over him this time.

“I tried something different and it was great to see it work!” described an elated Bouman.

While McGregor may not have be at full fitness after being struck down by illness midway through the recent N3TC Drak Challenge, the Euro Steel/Epic Kayaks ace was full of praise for Bouman.

“I’m still struggling a bit after being sick last weekend but hats off to Matthew, he’s going really nicely at the moment!” said McGregor.

“It was great to be back at the Marine Surfski Series again after missing the first three races and it was awesome to see such a huge turnout; it was probably one of the biggest fields I’ve seen at a surfski race recently!”

While a tricky wave close to shore tested paddlers surf skills, a relatively flat ocean which offered little assistance made for a tough day’s work for much of the 8km long course clash.

Bouman and McGregor were closely followed across the line by Wade Krieger and Luke Nisbet while junior talent Bailey de Fondaumiere rounded out the top five.

The women’s race was yet another hotly contested affair as the wealth of women’s paddling talent again went head to head for the week’s honours.

With young Kyeta Purchase – winner of the first and third legs of the ten race series – in Johannesburg for a swimming gala, it was race two winner Nicole Russell (Fenn Kayaks) who edged out the rest of the women’s field to clinch her second win of the series.

The ever-popular doubles category saw Shaun Burgin and Richard Lowe head home ahead of Cape Town pair Kenny Rice (Think Kayaks) and Tyron Maher while Daryl Bartho and Jackie de Billot again won the stand-up paddle board (SUP) clashes.

The 4km short course singles challenge saw Brendon Sharp claim line honours in the singles category while father/son combo, Bruce and Matthew Pender-Smith were the first double across the line.

The FNB Surfski Challenge, race five of the 2016 Varsity College FNB Marine Surfski Series, takes place at 17h30 on Friday, 5 February at Marine Surf Lifesaving Club, Addington Beach. More information can be found at www.marineseries.co.za

SUMMARY OF RESULTS – THULE SURFSKI CHALLENGE
RACE FOUR OF THE 2016 VARSITY COLLEGE FNB MARINE SURFSKI SERIES

LONG COURSE
Overall
1.Matt Bouman
2.Hank McGregor
3.Wade Krieger
4.Luke Nisbet
5.Bailey de Fondaumiere

Women
1.Nicole Russell
2.Hayley Nixon
3.Jenna Ward

Junior Boys
1.Bailey de Fondaumiere
2.Brett Evans
3.Luke Criticos

Juniors Girls
1.Sabina Lawrie

Doubles
1.Shaun Burgin/Richard Lowe
2.Kenny Rice/Tyron Maher
3.Zoog Haynes/Linton Hope

Mixed Doubles
1.Jason Ekstrand/Kerry Segal
2.Lee Furby/Pippa McGregor
3.Anke Malan/Shaun Dias

Women’s Doubles
1.Lynne Hauptfleisch/Sharon Armstrong
2.Kelly Biljoen/Wilma Deysel

SHORT COURSE
Singles
1.Brendon Sharp
2.Keeton Riddle
3.Dave Rees

Doubles
1.Bruce Pender-Smith/Matthew Pender-Smith

SUPs
Men
1.Daryl Bartho
2.Grantlee Read
3.Brandon Read

Women
1.Jackie de Billot
2.Lande Williamson
3.Charlotte Atholton