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DBN World Cup: Pocock and Cole set to square up over women's title |
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Written by Dave MacLeod, Gameplan Media
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Thursday, 26 June 2008 |
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Kiwi star Katie Pocock and Cape ace Alexa Cole will square up to one another in this weekend's Durban Surf Ski World Cup, as Pocock bids to become the first foreign women to win the prestigious title.
 Katie Pocock (NZ) and Alexa Lombard (SA)
Pocock opened her challenge with a convincing victory in Sunday's local surf ski series race over Amanzimtoti star Tiffany Kruger, who has been the pacesetter in the winter Discovery Men's Health Surf Skin series in Durban for the past two seasons.
 Katie Pocock (Pic: www.sportzhub.com)
Pocock has just come off the back of a successful Epic Molokai Challenge where she placed third, ten minutes behind eventual winner Lauren Bartlett, and just behind Alexa Cole.
Pocock will be eager to make amends for an abortive bid at last year's Durban Surf Ski World Cup when she damaged the rudder of her ski going over the shark nets at the start in Amanzimtoti, and was forced to withdraw from the race right at the start.
"That was pretty disastrous," said Pocock. "I was desperate to come back and have a good crack at the Durban World Cup after last year's problems."
29 year old Pocock, who is a fire-fighter from Auckland, said she was backing her endurance ability, after her recent Molokai crossing. "I didn't have the best of races on the Molokai, but I was pleased to finish third, just behind Alexa Cole."
She said her win in last weekend's local race had been a good confidence booster. "It was perfect for me to have a bit of a hit out against the other Durban girls. I am looking forward to having Alexa (Cole) up from Cape Town for this weekend's race."
 Alexa Lombard
Cole goes into the race this weekend as the defending champion, after a gutsy triumph in the demanding sea conditions. Her entry was low key, and she made the best of the rough sea, tying herself to her ski with a tie-down strap, to win the women's title by more than a minute from Michelle Eder.
She finished second in her debut Molokai crossing last month, which has added further background to her already vast experience base. "For any ski paddler the Molokai is something that you just have to go and see for yourself," Cole said. "I would love to go back and do it again," she added.
Cole is also eager to prove that her win in Durban last year was not a fluke, and would happy if the race threw up similarly challenging sea conditions. "That would suit me best," she said. "If it is flat then I am history, so we will have to wait and see what happens on the day."
Cole is being far more selective about her racing this year aimed principally at deriving pleasure from the sport. The move seems to be paying dividends for the blond 28 year old who married Cape Town based paddler Peter Cole earlier in the year.
The local challenge will once again be fronted by Tiffany Kruger and Michelle Eder, who have traded places at the top of the podium during the winter series races.
 Katie Pocock and Tiffany Kruger (Pic: www.anthonygrote.com)
Pocock has put pressure on global surf ski organisers to look at formalizing a women's World Series, based on the success of the men's World Series. "Sure we don't have the same number of paddlers as the men. But after the Olympics we will definitely get more top women taking part in the big international surf ski events, and a women's World Series would definitely help grow female surf ski paddling."
Pocock travelled with some of the Australian paddlers to enjoy Hluhluwe game reserve, and the balmy winter weather. "It was terrible getting back to Auckland after a few weeks in Hawaii. I couldn't wait to get to Durban. I love it here," she added.
The Durban Surf Ski World Cup will be staged either on Saturday 28 June or Sunday 29 June, depending on the best weather conditions, and will take the form of a 25km to 30km downwind race based around Durban.
Click here for the online entry form
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Keep pushing for that womens world series.
Cheers
John