 Durban - A strong US team has been confirmed for the Surf Ski World Cup taking place in Durban on 2 July, spearheaded by the husband and wife team of DeAnne and Patrick Hemmens, and including Mark Sandvold, Dave Jensen and Mark Buck.
"The Surf Ski World Cup is creating a lot of interest in the United States," said DeAnne Hemmens from Costa Mesa in California. "The sport is exploding in the States as well, and everyone is talking about the World Cup in Durban."
"We all anticipate that the conditions will be tough, and to be honest a few of the ski paddlers here a bit afraid of conditions. However we are looking forward to the race immensely," she added.
 DeAnne Hemmens
The Hemmens' met through canoeing in the Western Cape and emigrated to the United States, where they have settled in California.
42 year old Patrick Hemmens is a veteran of the US sprint and lifesaving teams and has completed seven Molokai Challenges, and was twelfth overall at this years event.
 Patrick Hemmens His wife DeAnne, was part of the US k2 and K4 sprint team at the 1996 Olympics, and was a gold medallist at the Pan American games. She has completed four Molokais, two on a single ski and twice in a mixed crew with her husband Patrick.
Californian Dave Jensen is a seasoned marathon kayaker and ski paddler, who has participated in the US Surfski championships three times, and is the current US double ski champion.  Dave Jensen He is a regular campaigner on the tough Molokai Challenge, and has raced the tough Oahu crossing in the OC1, OC2, outrigger and ski categories. He won the gruelling 400km Texas Water safari in 2002, and has also won the US Wavechaser ski series twice.
Mark Sandvold will also pose a threat at the World Cup, after a solid sixth overall at the Molokai Challenge last month. With more than ten Molokai crossings to his credit, the 40 year old brings speed and experience to the US team.
 Mark Sandvold Mark Buck is a veteran of ocean outrigger and ski racing for more than 45 years, having completed 35 Molokai Crossings, with five victories and eight other top ten finishes in the outrigger class.
He started ski paddling in 1979, and has been a dominant force in the ski races around Hawaii, Maui and Oahu
All the details can be found at the event website at www.surfskiworldcup.com
The US team entered: DeAnne Hemmens, Pat Hemmens, Dave Jensen, Mark Sanvold and Mark Buck
 |
Subscribe to this comment's feed