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 13 December 2006
The first day of the Old Mutual Bank PE2EL Challenge was “an honest grind” according to veteran campaigner Peter Cole who completed the 77km leg in 6:42, some 22 minutes behind Paul Marais.
Singles
The front group of Pete, Paul and the evergreen Oscar Chalupsky paddled together for some 45km before Pete fell off the group. Oscar managed to stay with Paul for another 10km before he too dropped behind. Over the next 20km, Paul put the hammer down extending his lead to an incredible 15min over Oscar.
Pete ended the day some 5min behind Oscar. “Paul was incredible today,” exclaimed Pete. “He was doing an average of about 13.5km/h over that last stretch.”
“The sea was flat as glass,” commented Oscar, “but we’re expecting a howling SW wind tomorrow. The longest I’ve paddled recently is about 2:20 so it was honest effort. I have to pick up 17 minutes over the next three days.”
Shortly after the leaders hit the beach at Woody Cape mist came in making it difficult to see landmarks. “But the surf was small,” said Pete, “so we didn’t have too much of a problem.”
The paddlers were obliged to take an inshore route to avoid a tethered whale carcase that has been attracting sharks.
Amoung the single skis, it has already become “a three horse race” according to Oscar Chalupsky. He’ll be hoping for the big downwind conditions that are his forte. However Paul Marais is also known for his ability to conserve energy while chasing the runs.
And of course the surf at can change things in an instant. “We’re not expecting big surf tomorrow,” said Pete, “but I shouldn’t say that now!” Pete Cole’s last race two years ago was decided at Woody Cape when he was mauled by the surf, taking some forty minutes to get out to the backline.
Doubles
Bruce Neil and Theo van Dijk paddled their double into 3rd place. “It went the way we planned,” said Bruce. “The front guys went off fast after the turning point at Sundays and we let them go. We teamed up with Beetle Bailey and Andrew Torr and worked together for about three hours. Theo and I were feeling strong and pushed on for the last hour. We started easy and finished strong.”
“The surf should be about the same as today,” Neil said, “manageable. Woody Cape can always be nasty but it should be ok for tomorrow.”
Pete Mote and Alan Schudingh, the defending champions, are lying 2nd behind the Durban crew of Rowan Matthews and Simon Britz. “It was a hard day for us,” Pete said, “we worked hard and pulled the other guys all the way – no-one was willing to work with us. But we had to do it to break the bunch up. We’re lying about 40seconds back at the moment.” Pete and Alan are paddling the new Red7 Surf 80 double. “We’re very pleased with the boat,” Pete said, “and we’re hoping for some light westerlies.” Pete explained that everyone goes well in big downwind conditions – but he and Alan should have an advantage in lighter conditions that require more skill.
The current forecast is for moderate to strong westerlies tomorrow; a light westerly on Friday and an easterly wind for the last day on Saturday.
Positions after Day 1
Singles
1. Paul Marais 6: 20 (6th overall)
2. Oscar Chalupsky 6: 35 (9th overall)
3. Peter Cole 6: 42 (11th overall)
4. Wojtek Orzechowschi
Doubles
1. Rowan Matthews & Simon Brittz 6: 13
2. Pete Mote & Alan Schudingh 6: 14
3. Theo van Dyk & Bruce Neill 6: 16
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