 Scottburgh, South Africa - Matt Bouman bounced back to his winning
ways in a thrilling three lap CycleLab Scottburgh Surf Classic, leg seven of
the Discovery Men's Health Surf Ski series, raced in idyllic conditions off
Scottburgh's main beach on Saturday.
Windless Conditions
The windless
conditions and gentle swell prompted the organisers to change the race from a
two lap to a three lap format, as the gentle swell rolling into the bay created
optimal swell riding conditions for the big field, with no backline surf
breaking.
Bouman and Barry Lewin were racing side by side as they headed for the finish
when Lewin capsized and took an unexpected swim, allowing Bouman to coast home
on the generous swells into the finish at Scottburgh's main beach to claim his
third win of the series.
 Bouman cruises to his third win (Photo: Craig Dutton, Gameplan Media)
While Lewin was able to quickly recover from his hiccup to protect his second
place, and with it the vital series points, veteran surf ski icon Oscar
Chalupsky wasn't able to bounce back from a dramatic eleventh hour gamble.
Oscar's shortcut
In an effort to try and close the gap between himself and Bouman and Lewin,
Chalupsky opted for a risky shortcut line that skirted dangerously close to the
rocks on the edge of the main beach, and was washed onto the rocks on the
point.
That put paid to his podium chances, and left the door open for Bevan Manson to
take third from Steve Woods, with Port Shepstone star Shadrack Mkhize storming
home strongly to take fifth.
The women's title went the way of Belinda Carbutt, who stamped her authority on
the race in the absence of series leader Tiffany Kruger, who was away at the SA
flatwater marathon champs in the Western Cape. Danica Vorster was second, and
Nathalie Veckranges third.
Doubles
In the well supported double ski category Andre Pohl signaled his return with a
solid win with Warren Jacobs, a minute and half clear of Craig Nortje and
Jeffrey Smith, and veterans Gary Waud and Glenn Hilliar in third.
It is only the second time in the seven legs completed in the Discovery Men's
Health Surf ski series so far this winter that Hilliar and Waud have not won
the doubles category outright.
Michelle Eder and Oliver Byrne took the mixed doubles prize from siblings Brett
and Kate Frost, while the women's doubles title went to the on-form Nikki
Irvine and Hillary Pitchford, from the mother-and-daughter combination of Penny
and Cara Bush.
The Discovery Men's
Health Surf Ski Series moves to the KZN Awnings Toti Downwind race on Sunday.
All the details are available at www.surfski.co.za
SUMMARY OF RESULTS
CYCLE LAB SCOTTBURGH SURF CLASSIC
Elite Men
1.Matthew Bouman 56.38
2.Barry Lewin 57.34
3.Bevan Manson 58.58
4.Steve Woods 59.15
5.Shadrack Mkhize 1:03.36
Women
1.Belinda Carbutt 1:15.17
2.Danica Vorster 1:17.34
3.Nathalie Veckranges 1:18.26
Double Skis
1.Andre Pohl/Warren Jacobs 57.34
2.Craig Nortje/Jeffrey Smith 59.01
3 Gary Waud Glenn Hillier 59.21 (1st Vets)
Mixed doubles
1.Michele
Eder/Oliver Byrne 1:01.19
2 Brett Frost/Kate Frost 1:10.05
3.Michael Cousins/Judy Eder 1:10.58
Women's double ski
1.Nikki Irvine/Hillary Pitchford 1:09.40
2.Penny Bush/Cara Bush 1:19.19
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