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Durban - The untested combination of Dawid Mocke and Hank McGregor came back from a scare at the halfway point to win the Discovery Men's Health Scottburgh to Brighton surf ski ultra marathon title.
 Hank McGregor Dawid Mocke Scottburgh to Brighton 2008 (Pic: www.anthonygrote.com)
 Close - check that determination! (Pic: www.anthonygrote.com)
The duo was leading the race going into the solitary beach portage at Amanzimtoti when they were dumped in the shorebreak, forcing them to anxiously swim to the beach in an effort to protect their lead.
The pair managed to recover in time to set off for the finish at Brighton beach on Durban's Bluff neck and neck with the second place crew of Barry Lewin and Richard von Wildermann.
 Richard von Wildeman and Barry Lewin - 2nd Place (Pic: Mike Tippett)
McGregor and Mocke made their move fifteen minutes from the end, and were able to drop Lewin and Von Wildermann to complete the 46km course in just less than three and a half hours.
"Dawid took the wrong line coming in at Toti," grinned McGregor afterwards. "The swim pushed us back about 300m but we managed to get back on track and we paddle with Barry (Lewin) and Richard (Von Wildermann) for the rest of the race."
"We made our break about 3km before the finish," added McGregor, who has in recent weeks added a fifth Isuzu Berg and a second Durban Surf Ski World Cup title to his lengthy list of victories.
"The boys fought all the way till the finish," said Mocke, who claimed his second SA Double Ski Championship title in the process.
The pair did not have any time to train together before the notoriously tough marathon, as Mocke flew in from Cape Town the night before the race, forcing the crew to arrange a moonlight paddle together to enable them to set up their ski for the event.
Lewin and Eastern Cape stalwart Von Wildeman wrapped up the silver medals, seven minutes clear of third placed Warren Jacobs and Jeffrey Smith. Rowan Matthew and Brian Wright finished fourth, ahead of last year's surprise package Shadrack Mkhize, who paddled with Willie Kunz.
The women's title fell to Toti ace Tiffany Kruger and Pietermaritzburg's Kelly Howe. "We had a much better race than I expected," said Kruger. "I think everyone was expecting the Easterly to come up, but we were all thrilled it didn't."
 Tiffany Kruger and Kelly Howe - 1st Ladies (Pic: www.anthonygrote.com)
"It was my first Scottburgh to Brighton," said Howe. "So I guess I'm really chuffed I've managed to win it."
A delighted Haydon Skinner, a relative newcomer to long distance ski racing, provided an upset by winning the single ski race ahead of established star Bevan Manson. "This was my first "hard" race", said Skinner. "It's great to come out on top," said Skinner. "I will definitely do it again."
 Haydon Skinner, surprise singles winner (Pic: www.anthonygrote.com)
The race brings down the curtain on the winter Discovery Men's Health Surf Ski season.
Photos by Anthony Grote (http://www.anthonygrote.com/)
Men
Doubles:
1. Hank McGregor/Dawid Mocke 3:23:02
2. Barry Lewin/Richard von Wildermann 3:24:12
3. Warren Jacobs/Jeffery Smith 3:31:28
4. Rowan Matthew/Brian Wright 3:45:01
5. Shadrack Mkhize/Willie Kunz 3:48:51
 Dawid & Hank celebrate (Pic: www.anthonygrote.com)
Singles:
1.Haydon Skinner 4:12:35
2.Bevan Manson 4:13:59
3.Luke Nisbet 4:14:30
Ladies:
Doubles:
1.Tiffany Kruger/Kelly Howe 4:02:26
 Well done ladies! (Pic: www.anthonygrote.com)
Mixed doubles:
1.Michelle Eder/Oliver Burn 3:42:35
2.Mark Mulder/Sydney Olwagen 4:03:08
3.Craig Thompson/Penny Bush 4:22:05
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A big thank you to the organisers, I really enjoyed the day.
Also a special note to my mate who paddled with 218 Braca 4 Maxi's, you are a legend. Looking forward to Sundays Downwind with you and the boys.