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Durban, South Africa - Oscar Chalupsky announced his return to the Discovery Men's Health surf ski series by winning the Discovery Winklespruit surf ski race in energy sapping surf conditions, racing in rain and a strong South Westerly wind, as the arrival of the cold front forced the race organisers to start the 25km race at Scottburgh.
 Oscar Chalupsky finishes at Amanzimtoti (Pic: www.anthonygrote.com)
Chalupsky, who has been abroad since his Epic Molokai challenge, stamped his authority on the rough conditions to down series pacesetter Hank McGregor by thirty seconds in dramatic style at the finish at Winklespruit after a cat-and-mouse tussle involving sharply differing racing lines and tactics.
Series favourites Clint Pretorius, Barry Lewin, Bevan Manson and McGregor set off together, while Chalupsky had to fight his way back into contention after being dumped by a wave near the start.
 Challenging Conditions at the start (Pic: www.anthonygrote.com)
With the finish in sight race leader McGregor's decision to take a wider line backfired as he hit a sandbank and took a dramatic swim. That left the door open for Chalupsky to swoop and snatch the victory at the beach finish at Winklespruit.
"It all came down to choice of lines," said Chalupsky afterwards. "When I saw him fall off I knew I had a chance to win."
"It was a tough race," said McGregor. "But that's just the way it is." Series regulars described the surf at the finish art Winklespruit as a "washing machine", providing plenty of thrills and spills for the spectators.
An exhausted Michelle Eder managed to snatch a notable victory over Tiffany Kruger in the women's race, complicated by the fact that they started in different batches.
 An 'exhausted Michele Eder' comes in at Amanzimtoti (pic: www.anthonygrote.com)
"It made it difficult to figure out where we were all positioned in the race," said Kruger. "But I guess we all just went for it and hoped for the best."
"It was a rough and long race," said Eder. "I was exhausted around Karridene, so I had to push myself through it," added a thrilled Eder after hearing that she had posted a faster race time than Kruger.
The unlikely pairing of master Mark Lewin and Ant Stott combined on debut to take the double ski race, over the course that provided excellent training for the Scottburgh to Brighton marathon next month
 Mark Lewin and Ant Stott (Pic: www.anthonygrote.com)
Next week the Discovery Men's Health Surf Ski Series returns to Durban for the Hi-Q Marine race on the public holiday Monday 16 June .
 Oscar's GPS Track
Click here to go to Oscar's GPS Track and HR stats on Motionbased.com
Photos by Anthony Grote (Check out more pics at www.anthonygrote.com)
Further information is available at www.surfski.co.za
SUMMARY OF RESULTS DISCOVERY WINKLESPRUIT SURF SKI RACE
LEG FIVE OF THE DISCOVERY MEN'S HEALTH SURF SKI SERIES
Elite Men
1.Oscar Chalupsky 01:32:23
2.Hank McGregor 01:33:05
3.Barry Lewin 01:33:38
4.Clinton Pretorius 01:34:31
5.Herman Chalupsky 01:35:32
6.Bevan Manson 01:38:13
7.Ian Gray 01:38:35
8.Travis Wilkinson 01:30:04
9.Oliver Burn 01:40:55
10.Luke Nisbet 01:41:31
Women
1.Michelle Eder 01:55:46
2.Tiffany Kruger 01:59:50
3. Natalie Veckranges 02:10:19
U21 Boys
1.Matthew Collins (U21) 01:46:52
2.Luke Chalupsky (U18) 01:48:11
3.Donovan Kennedy (U18) 01:49:19
Double skis
Men
1.Mark Lewin / Ant Stott 01:37:23
2.Gary Albers / Butch Murray 01:39:34
3.Gary Waud / Glenn Hilliar 01:43:42
4.Angus Ferguson / Dirk van den Berg 01:44:38
5.Gary O'Connor / Craig O'Connor 01:48:19
Mixed doubles
1.Michael Cousins / Judy Eder 02:02:20
2.Bucky Symons / Lauren Symons 02:03:53
3.Thomas Pryor / Kelly Howe 02:07:49
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