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Team South Africa Sweeps Day One World Cup Surf Ski Champs
 Perth, November, 24: Last week at a tune up prior to day one of the World Cup Surf Ski race from Fremantle to Sorrento Beach, Oscar Chalupsky narrowly edged out fellow Durbanite Daryl Bartho, winning by just over 10 seconds. The biggest surprise wasn't so much that the 43-year-old Chalupsky won but that he finished first in a relatively flat sea, conditions that would normally favour his younger, faster rival.
Half an hour before the 2 p.m. start of the 24-kilometer race, Chalupsky and long-time rival Dean Gardiner, the nine-time Molokai Champion from Sydney, were relieved to see the return of the famed Freemantle Doctor wind, blowing out of the SW at 20-kph. Vying for the win on day one would be Springbok paddlers Barry Lewin and Herman Chalupsky as well as Aussie standouts Dave Kissane and Ash Nesbit and Kiwi Mike Walker, former winner of the New Zealand King of the Harbour.
Heading to the first bouy 400 meters off the beach, 21-year-old Barry Lewin pushed the pace with Herman Chalupsky and Bartho on either side and Oscar Chalupsky sitting in the diamond.
At the first of three check points along the 24-km course Oscar Chalupsky strung several runs together and edged ahead of Bartho and younger brother Herman. Lewin, who was feeling the affects of jet lag, fell slightly back into fourth.
Heading into the mandatory portage at City Beach 10K into the downwind run, Oscar Chalupsky hit the beach first, putting back through the surf roughly five boat lengths ahead of Bartho with Herman Chalupsky chasing 10 seconds back.
En route to the third check point at Trigg Point, Oscar Chalupsky and Daryl Bartho paddled side-by-side, battling to chase down the runs that grew larger as the race progressed. Lewin, who'd been forced to wait at the prior check point for a huge set to roll past, faltered as local favorite Ash Nesbit (third in the tune up) and former Men's Health Champ Dave Kissane moved past and slowly closed the gap on Herman Chalupsky.
After Trigg point, the 11-time Molokai Champ edged ahead of Bartho. Now it was a two man race. Last week in Perth, Oscar headed closer to shore and Bartho stayed out. Today, Bartho headed to shore and Oscar stayed out to sea and maintained a straight line to the finish. A tiring Chalupsky found faster water and rounded the final buoy at Sorrento Beach 15 seconds in front. En route to the long run up to the finish, the fleet-footed Bartho narrowed the gap to eight seconds with Herman Chalupsky just under 2 minutes behind. Perth native Ash Nesbit and Sydney paddler Dave Kissane finished fourth and fifth, respectively, with Lewin and Gardiner rounding out the top seven. Chalupsky's average speed for the 24K course was an impressive 16 kilometer per hour.
 From L to R: Oscar Chalupsky (1st), Darryl Bartho (2nd), Herman Chalupsky (3rd), Ash Nesbit (4th), David Kissane (5th)
"I was very happy to win," Oscar said. "Daryl was relentless. On the last leg I figured I had Daryl since I felt that I had a better line. It's a great win for me but tomorrow I'll have to keep my strength to win the overall title. Daryl was very strong and Herman can never be written off. Tomorrow we are going to have a lot less wind so it will be tough for an old man like me."
[Editor: Click here for Oscar's GPS Data on MotionBased.com. You can see his speed & Heart Rate through the race.]
 Oscar's GPS Track
Typically gracious, Bartho, who regularly beats Oscar back in Durban, was left scratching his head. "It was tough today. Oscar hasn't beaten me all year and he comes here and does it twice in one week, go figure? Tomorrow I will be out to get back at Oscar but I will have to worry about Herman as well."
Not one to waste words, Herman Chalupsky, who'd set a single day record at the Dolphin Coat Challenge last month, is eager to take the overall title with a win tomorrow. "I have been behind before," he said. "I know I'm fit. I just didn't have a good race today. Tomorrow I'll be gunning for Daryl and Herman"
The race tomorrow will be over 30km from Rottenness Island to Hillary Harbour. The wind predictions are for a modest 10 knot winds.
Day One Results:
(Click here for full results)
1. 1.25.08 Oscar Chalupsky RSA
2. 1.25.14 Daryl Bartho RSA
3. 1.27.11 Herman Chalupsky RSA
4. 1.27.27 Ash Nesbit AUS
5. 1. 27.44 Dave Kissane AUS
6. 1. 28.46 Barry Lewin RSA
7. 1. 28.50 Dean Gardiner AUS
8. 1.29.03 Mike Walker NZ
9. 1.30.03 Dean Beaman AUS
10. 1 .30.50 Brendon Sarson AUS
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