Comments for ARB Surf Ski World Cup - Predictions at http://www.surfski.info , comment 0 to 20 out of 20 comments http://www.surfski.info Mon, 01 Dec 2008 19:21:43 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/448/147/#pc_1073 Rob will be paddling in the race so I will attempt commentary if we can get hold of someone on the race boat during the race. Rob is trying to organise this.... The race starts at 9am, so check out the site then. - Alain Jaques Sat, 30 Jun 2007 17:14:52 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/448/147/#pc_1068 We'll have confirmation whether or not we'll have anyone to talk to later in the day... - Rob Mousley Sat, 30 Jun 2007 07:24:39 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/448/147/#pc_1066 Hi Rob, are you planning any kind of commentary for Sunday's race as you did for Molokai. Results - I reckon the poll gives a very good reflection of who will be fighting for the top places. - fella Sat, 30 Jun 2007 07:14:18 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/448/147/#pc_1065 Here's my neck stretched out on the block: 1. Hank McGregor 2. Dawid Mocke 3. Tim Jacobs 4. Oscar Chalupsky 5. Murray Stewart In the girls race: 1. Katie Pocock 2. Alexa Lombard 3. Lauren Mckie 4. Tiffany Kruger - Rob Mousley Sat, 30 Jun 2007 07:08:34 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/448/147/#pc_1063 I've found it interesting that SA thinks big downwind conditions will play into their hands. That's crap - Aussies are brought of on surf, I would guarantee that all our top paddlers are glad this weather front is arriving right on time. I think that self-promoting bubble which the SA paddling community has lived in for the last couple of years is about to burst. First, Molokai taken by Lewis and now the big one on Sunday. I'm not saying an Aussie win is a certainty - it's up for grabs - however I will be very surprised to see either side totally dominant. Anyway, good luck to all!!!! But an AUSSIE win will be sweet!!!! - rogue wave Sat, 30 Jun 2007 03:39:56 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/448/147/#pc_1058 There is no doubt that the South Africans will be very hard to beat what we call their backyard, as they are specialist whilst the Competition is there. This year I have gut feeling that there will be an Aussie finishing in the Top 3. No 1 that is. We have paddlers that can paddle and win in all conditions Tim and Murray will be there in the flat no worries about that. And if the swell is up well that even makes it better for all the Aussies. I am even putting money on my training mate who is there ROD Taylor. If the swell is up he will be turning heads. Go Tails. Good mate Glick go hard. - Vipers Fri, 29 Jun 2007 11:06:45 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/448/147/#pc_1056 Has any body looked at Oscar's record in the PE/EL race. It is the hardest, longest toughest race on the planet(4 days 244kms in huge sea's and wind) and I do not remember any of the Oz guys even trying it (could be wrong). Not only is he 11 time Open water champ - but has won PE/EL to many times to mention. Sure Deano is a great and a super bloke, but I am very sorry Deano, you needed to have won (or at least competeted in) the PE/EL race to tip Oscar off the top spot in this sport in the last 15 yrs. Please Please Please understand how hard this race is, think Molo for 4 days, with some days going into a head wind and swell for 64km, that is 7hrs in the seat on day 3...with 56kms to ride out on day 4. Oscar has no peer in GLOBAL win's. This is not SA arrogance, but what is to me the simple truth. Delighted that Ash Nesbit has arrived in SA, WHY IS HE STILL IN a 8yr old Fenn. Somebody take him out for a beer and sort it - or get him to try and win the Dubai Shamaal promotion ski. Nutter. - Speed Boy Fri, 29 Jun 2007 10:02:29 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/448/147/#pc_1053 Had dinner last night with some Aussie legends including Dean, Dave Kissane, Ash Nesbit (yep, he's just arrived courtesy of some last minute sponsorship from Thiess/Kentz), Murray Stewart and Lauren Mckie. Dave says he doesn't think is in contention - because he's only just started paddling again after a lay-off due to injury. Dean Gardiner says he's going "ok" but that he hasn't really been paddling that hard. The Aussies rate Murray who just won the under 23 K1 1000m at a World Cup meet in Germany. Ash Nesbit broke his boat back home just before leaving. He was doing a publicity shoot with a newspaper cameraman when a 10-15ft rogue wave came in, breaking about 40m behind the backline. He turned and punched through it, but his ski was sucked backwards over the falls... Ouch. Apart from that, trying to get a top 5 prediction from the Aussies is like trying pick hens teeth... But great guys all, and awesome to see them here. Plenty of banter between them and the South Africans. Host last night was Darryl Bartho who just returned from a two week fishing competition in Mozambique (where his team won the competition and came away with a R400K fishing boat prize...) Hence his lack of training... - Rob Mousley Fri, 29 Jun 2007 05:31:36 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/448/147/#pc_1052 So funny how Tim turns up and wins on the the flat and is therefore a 'flat water specialist'. You would probably say the same about Clint Robinson if he showed up and won on the flat, or Bags (and don't bother responding re bags bc all World Class mature sprinters are on the juice, yes and Santa is not real in case you were disillusioned there also). Do your homework. Tim is just as fast if not faster in runs. You will see. Dave Kissane has not only finished 'in the top 10' as Rob suggests, the guy has finished 2nd to Oscar a few years back and has won every race in Aus in the last 3 years. He has suffered in Perth each year only bc he works 8am - 8pm for his financial planning company in Sydney and winter is cold and dark and offers little time to train. If you dont know much about him, its bc he is a family man and a professional and doesn't feel the need to spook bullshit about himself like some others. As an ironman, Dave has run 14.40 / 5kms and has swum sub 16 minutes for 1500. Genetically gifted and a workhorse. Murray is just behind Tim in most things he does, so Murray = Super Fast. Ash finished 3rd last year in Perth behind Oscar and an in form Daryl..in runs. Finished 6th in Molo this year on a 7 year old 18 kg millenium that was leaking. Now...and this is for my good mate Glick. Deano is the biggest downwind freak that has ever been. Even Oscar will agree with this. If it is over 20 knots on Sunday he will be right up the front and is a big chance. Getting Married and having a kid slows anyone down for 2 years. If the wind rips, so too will Deano. Everyone sees Hank as the Fav just bc he does. It is one thing for Hank to believe his own publicity, but why does anyone else. Hank is a fantastic paddler no question. But give credit where it is due. In the runs, this race is very very open. - Karl Treacher Fri, 29 Jun 2007 03:43:05 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/448/147/#pc_1051 I think the last few years of WC results show that, indeed, S.A is the country to beat in Surf Ski. Enough about Aus vs S.A please, results speak for themselves... - Flick. Fri, 29 Jun 2007 03:07:17 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/448/147/#pc_1050 It’s nice to see that SA arrogance back again. This site went a bit quiet for a couple of days after you guys digested the fact that Tim Jacobs came over after training through the off-season here in Oz (no major racing) and blew away your race hardened lot. But keep on believing SA – it’s a good read. - cork Fri, 29 Jun 2007 01:23:05 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/448/147/#pc_1049 This is what makes this sport so interesting and winners hard to pick. It appears that the predicted results depend so much on conditions, wind, fitness....almost forgot......nationality. I am a Saffa living in Australia and many times I have opened my big mouth and made predictions (largely based on Naional pride) and copped the subesequent barage from my Aussie mates. I am now wiser and more logical in my thought process. If I was to put money on it (which I have) I would call Tim Jacobs in flatter conditions (convincingly), Dave Kissane in average bumps and Deano just over Oscar in the big bumps and bigger wind. If you have ever seen Tim Jacobs paddle it is like watching Ian Thorpe swim. His rate is slow (you wonder where the speed comes from), mechanical and very, very fluent. I would go so far as to say he had the perfect stroke. He is also a big bastard, strong, as fit as you can get and with arms so long his knuckles drag on the floor. Dave Kissane I think is fitter still but doesn't have the stroke that Tim has got. However, Dave can and will chase down the smallest bump for hours on end. He and Tim tusstled for the Aussie Mens Health title a couple of years ago before Tim went to K1. I think he came second in the Molokai in 2005? However, I heard he's recemtly got over a shoulder injury? Deano...what can I say? If it's big he'll be the man to beat. Like Oscar the time he's spent on the water and the experience gained negates any fitness advantage the younger guys have when the wind blows. However, it will need to be blowing....hard. Despite al of the above I wouldn't be suprised at all if Hank or Dawid prove me wrong. I think I have all bases covered. Can't loose. It's going to be a great race, that's the only certainty! - Ben Hines Fri, 29 Jun 2007 01:18:13 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/448/147/#pc_1047 i know most of the boys who will be pushing the pace up front, which basically insures that all of my predictions are biased but here's a few thoughts. no doubt, deano is one of the surf ski icons -- 9 molokai wins, a win in capetown at the first WC and too many other big races too count -- but by my recollection he's not produced a stellar result (by his standards) since Molokai 2003 when Oscar only overtook him late in the race. if it's blowing he'll be up front -- he's that good in the bumps -- but he's not fit enough to win against a field that will paddle as if this is a 10K time trial. it's pretty easy to forecast the front mob for the first 10K: Jacobs, McGregor, Mocke, Lewin, Pretorius, Chalupsky (Oscar for sure; Herman's fitness is in question), Bevan Manson, Bowman, Murray Stewart and perhaps Ash Nesbit or some other animal will hang in. However, after 20K I think the mob will be whittled down to Jacobs, McGregor, Mocke, Oscar and Bowman. I think the first three names should be considered the favorites for the podium with Oscar and Bowman potential winners. My dark horse would be Herman Chalupsky, Jasper Mocke and/or Murray Stewart. But if I'm to go out on a limb I think it will be Hank, Oscar and Mocke with Jacobs 4th. But, as I wrote, the only thing I know for sure is that I'm usually wrong. Wish I was there to see the boys sort it out. - glick Thu, 28 Jun 2007 23:01:35 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/448/147/#pc_1046 Sweet victory for SA boys - for sure. Only kidding about the Oz girls boss, relax. All of them are beautifull. - Killer Bee Thu, 28 Jun 2007 22:38:11 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/448/147/#pc_1045 My money is on Jasper Mocke but then I always back the underdog and there are good odds. Trust me, he doesn't need wind or waves, I saw him win the flat water PCC time trial in a K1 two Tuesday's ago so he is on form. If there is wind and waves then I'll double my bet. If he doesn't win this year then it will be next year or maybe the next but he is a sure long term winner. - Alain Jaques Thu, 28 Jun 2007 20:05:50 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/448/147/#pc_1044 That's really in bad taste, pal. Suffering from an inferiority complex, are we ? - S. Hansen Thu, 28 Jun 2007 19:24:08 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/448/147/#pc_1043 Hi Rob, Love your work. But need to give you a little more background on some of the Aussie paddlers. Tim Jacobs started paddling on flat water about 3-4 years ago. He wanted to make the Australian kayak team. So he cut back on the ski and jumped in a K1. Prior to that his entire paddling background was in the ocean. Äround the cans and long distance. Long distance being his preference. He was a decent competitor in surf ironman and an excellent marathon swimmer too. He will revel in big downwind conditions. Dean Gardiner is one of the best all round paddlers there has ever been. Around the cans, long distance flat water and ocean racing. Deano made the national surflifesaving finals something 5 or 7 years in a row. Other Clint Robinson, there would not be too many others who can claim this feat. He was pretty much unbeatable in long distance flatwater paddling in the 90's. The thing is, that Deano has been paddling for a long time now and has come to hate paddling in flat water. Really hates it. It is not enjoyable at all too him. So basically the past 10 years (maybe more) he has done no real flatwater training. When the wind is not blowing he usually elects not to race. But he only needs a ripple or a current running and he is unstoppable. Dave Kissane was an awesome surf ironman years ago. I think he finished second one year in the Uncle Toby's series. He then retired from competition. Deano talked him back into paddling in 2003. He is getting better with each season since then. He has all the skills and he has beaten the best of them before. He is one to watch. The best thing about all 3 of these guys is that they are very humble and not up themselves. Anyone is welcome to paddle with any of them. The problem is keeping them in sight. Looking forward to your call on the race. Barnesy - Barnesy Thu, 28 Jun 2007 17:46:05 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/448/147/#pc_1042 Rumuor is that the race is starting at the back line to give the visiting Oz boys a chance to get out of the surf. SA will pan Oz this weekend - and will pan them in the WRC in September. I have not one doubt. Oz is a great sporting nation - but right now SA have got the measure of you with the rugger ball and the surf ski. Oh by the way - was in Sydney last week - and we have the better looking babes as well - of that there can be no debate! - Killer Bee Thu, 28 Jun 2007 15:17:24 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/448/147/#pc_1041 What is it when you say Dean is only in with a chance with a strong tail wind.?? Most people can paddle in strong downwind conditions. It is the small non existant swells that Dean sees that no other paddler sees. Dean was unbeaten for 10 straight years all over the world in all conditions. He has won molokai in the flat, into a head wind and holds the record on a ski that no top paddler would contemplate using in this day and age.it wasnt so long ago he went to SA and kicked butt. Maybe after the weekends results your excuse for SA paddler not winning is "we didn't send our strongest team..we are waiting for next years world cup..." Sound familiar Just jokes guys we all know Australia is much better, why else would there be so many south African's in ST. Ives?? - Michael A Thu, 28 Jun 2007 14:39:25 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/448/147/#pc_1040 Jasper is no dark horse, we all know how well he can go! He is after all the national lifesaving ski champ! - Barry Thu, 28 Jun 2007 14:32:04 +0100