His reign as defending champion at the Canadian Surfski Championships was in jeopardy for much of the race, but South Africa鈥檚 Sean Rice managed to paddle his way to victory in the waters of Howe Sound on Saturday (July 18).
Rice battled countryman Jasper Mocke and Australia鈥檚 Michael Booth for much of the 21-kilometre race then turned on the jets after Watts Point to cruise to the win.
鈥淚t was a race of concentration,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t was all about who could keep full focus on what was happening at the moment.鈥�
Mocke overtook Rice about halfway through the race and the pair seesawed the lead for several kilometres.
鈥淲hen Jasper came past me, it was a very decisive part of the race,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ecause of his line it was only a matter of time before it happened, but I managed to get back on top of him.鈥�
Rice said his strategy was to blast off the start line, then make his move before Watts Point.
鈥淭he turning point was that last corner at Watts Point,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the deciding factor of this race. There鈥檚 a bit of a backwind and different currents, so it really depends how close you go in there.鈥�
He won the $750 Think Kayak hotspot for being the first male past the one-kilometre buoy and a cool $3,200 for the first-place win. He completed the course in 1:23:22, about two minutes slower than his 2014 win.
Rice said he loves racing in Squamish.
鈥淭his race has some very unique characteristics,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a very different race and I think we all really like the finish line. We鈥檙e so used to beaches, so to see the mountains and the Chief as you finish is great.鈥�
He said another motivation is that the Deep Cove-based Think Kayak company sponsors him, and it鈥檚 great to represent them in their backyard. Rice鈥檚 summer continues with a pair of high-level races in the U.S. in the next two weeks.
Booth finished second at 1:23:39 and Mocke was third with a time of 1:24:00. The top Canadian male was Maple Ridge鈥檚 Wes Hammer, who was eighth and clocked in at 1:31:09.
The female division crowned a new champion as New Zealand鈥檚 Teneale Hatton earned top spot. Hatton finished with a time of 1:36:33 and was 15th overall. Hatton beat out Australia鈥檚 Rowena Coghill (1:40:05) to earn first. The top Canadian female was Mississauga鈥檚 Tamlyn Bohm, who was 39th overall and finished in 1:50:02. Bohm was third amongst all females.
Squamish鈥檚 Ian Lowe was the fastest local competitor and placed 26th overall with a time of 1:44:33. Other local finishers included: Richard Savage-Avedon (61st) and Graham Schulz (65th).
For complete results from the race, visit www.webscorer.com/racedetails?raceid=47137.
