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The thought of US$1,000 waiting for him in Dubai was
definitely going through Tim Jacobs' mind as he powered toward the finish of
the Lion Island Challenge, just edging out Jeremy Cotter for the win. It was a hard-fought victory, but one that
will definitely have Tim feeling confident in the lead-up to the Dubai
Shamaal.
 Tim Jacobs wins again... (Pic: www.abbeydigital.com.au) Lion Island Challenge
The Lion Island Challenge, the second race of the Ocean
Series, was held on Saturday 20 October, under overcast skies and with a stiff
southerly blowing. The cash-to-compete
incentive drew a huge field, with paddlers from all over Australia's east coast
converging on Sydney for the event.
 ...Cash to Compete drew a huge field (Pic: www.abbeydigital.com.au)
To see more, click here
start was like lightning
As predicted, the start was like lightning, with Jeremy
Cotter setting a cracking pace. Jeremy
is a ‘retired' professional ironman, who now spends his time coaching at the
Northcliff club on Queensland's Gold Coast.
Jeremy has a vast amount of experience in both sprint and endurance
events, including a second place in the Coolangatta Gold (renowned by many as the
toughest ironman event in the world) in 2005.
It was clear from early on that if Tim Jacobs, the race favourite, was
to win, then Jeremy was the man to beat.
 From top – Tim Jacobs, Mark Minchin, Dane Sloss and Jeremy Cotter sprinting off the start (Pic: www.abbeydigital.com.au)
By the first turn at Barrenjoey headland, a pack of about
fifteen or so guys had broken away, with Tim Jacobs and Jeremy Cotter in front,
everyone else vying to get on the best wash and hang onto it through the choppy
upwind section along Palm Beach. Jeremy
turned downwind first with Tim on his tail.
The big names of Dane Sloss, Dave Kissane, David Rhodes, Ian Timbrell,
Cade Barnes and Jacob Clear were all in the mix, only a few boat lengths behind
the leaders. The runs along Palm Beach
were short and choppy, but once around Barrenjoey Headland, the run down to
Lion Island was fantastic - straight runs, one after the other (with a few speedboat
wakes thrown in for good measure).
 The front pack at the start – Dane Sloss in the middle, Tim Jacobs on the right (Pic: www.abbeydigital.com.au)
To see more, click here
consistent runs
Unlike most downwind paddles along Sydney's northern
beaches, the runs to Lion Island are consistent, not choppy, and therefore
favour strength and fitness. Fortunately
for Tim Jacobs, he had both and managed to gain a lead on Jeremy of about 10
seconds, which he maintained in the 2km flat water paddle to the finish. The fight for third was a tough one, with
Dane Sloss fending off serious challenges from Cade Barnes, 2006 winner Dave
Kissane and sprint kayaker David Rhodes.
 Podium 3: Jeremy Cotter (2nd), Tim Jacobs (1st), Dane Sloss (3rd) (Pic: www.abbeydigital.com.au)
Once again, the Ocean Series team and Avalon Beach SLSC put
on a great event, with the first paddle board race of the series running at the
same time. There were great giveaways
including paddles and a Garmin Forerunner 305, meaning that most of the field
of over 130 paddlers didn't walk away empty-handed.
looking good for surf ski in Sydney
With only two races down, and three to go, things are
looking good for the sport in Sydney, and the competition for the tickets to
Durban 2008 is becoming interesting. Tim
Jacobs has consolidated his position at the top of the ladder, and is now
focussed on Dubai. It's clear that Tim
isn't intending on making the trip for anything less than a win. Jeremy Cotter has indicated that, since his
retirement from ironman racing, he is turning his focus to surfskis, with the
intention of winning a spot to go to Durban in 2008. The rest of the Queenslanders (Dane Sloss,
David Rhodes and Jacob Clear) have also indicated that they will be back in
Sydney for the Twenty Beaches in December.
Unfortunately, Dean Gardiner was ill for the event, but you can rest
assured that he'll be back and fighting fit in no time. Next race on the calendar is Narrabeen - the
first true downwinder of the Ocean Series.
Results of the Lion Island Challenge, as well as the
leader-board so far can be found at
http://www.oceanseries.com.au/events/20071020/ski%20results.pdf
Big thanks to John from Abbey Digital for the fantastic
photos. It was a bit of a hike up to the
top of Barrenjoey headland, but I'm sure you'll agree it was well worth
it! There are lots more on his site at
www.abbeydigital.com.au
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With guys like Tim and Ken Wallace coming to Dubai, competition from down under is going to be top notch. Dean Gardiner is apparently training like a demon as well. Over here Oscar is training three sessions a day...
Time for some interviews with the guys to find out how their training is going - stay tuned!