|
 The big O sent us these photos of the inaugural $10,000 Dubai Shamal race (held on 1 December 2006 in Dubai, UAE).
Racing in flat conditions the South African team overwhelmed the opposition and took the top six places.
Dawid Mocke won the race from the evergreen Oscar Chalupsky. The two of them beat Darryl Bartho and the fourfold South African paddling champion Hank McGregor who came 3rd and 4th respectively.
Race Course
The course took the paddlers out to sea from the beach, around a buoy, back to shore and then through a 3km stretch of canals to the finish.
Oscar Chalupsky sent us his GPS data. Click here to view it on MotionBased.com.
The Race
The big O also sent us the photos, which neatly illustrate each stage of the race:
The sea was glassy smooth and there was no wind at all at the start. The temperature was close to 30 degrees Centigrade.
 11h55: Before the start - note massive surf
A large group took off at the start - Dawid hung back and rode wakes for the first 6km.
 12h01: The pack charges out on the glassy smooth sea
Still on their way out, Hank McGregor leads the group with Dawid riding the slip, closest to the camera. Oscar is at the back of the diamond.
 12h11: Hank leading, Dawid closest to camera, Oscar at the rear
After about 6km Dawid started pushing and broke the group up. Dawid, Hank and Darryl Bartho broke away by some 60m. Oscar was left with the group behind. Here Barry Lewin(?) leads the second group back towards the beach.
 12h53: Barry Lewin(?) leads the second group on the way back
Some 3km from shore however, the (slight) wind arrived and Oscar made his move, charging back up to the front group as they entered the canals.
 13h11: Oscar catches the front group as they enter the canals
Not only he did he catch up, he took the lead and pulled the diamond through the canals until...
 13h13: Oscar (leading), Dawid (far side), Darryl (closest), Hank
 13h13: Oscar (leading), Dawid (far side), Darryl (closest), Hank
Dawid caught a little bump and "milked it for all it was worth" to drop Hank an d Darryl.
 13h15: Dawid makes his move? (On the far side)
But Oscar stayed with Dawid all the way to the finish.
 13h26: Dawid breaks away, but Oscar hangs on...
Full results will be available shortly on the Dubai Surfski and Kayak Club website.
 |
Subscribe to this comment's feed