South Africa won the Surf Ski World Cup in Perth in emphatic style this weekend, headed by back-to-back victories in both legs of the event by 43-year-old Durban ace Oscar Chalupsky.
After his solid victory over fellow Durbanites Darryl Bartho and brother Herman in the first-leg event on Saturday, Oscar romped home to win the 30km second-leg event from Rottnest Island to Hillary Harbour outside Perth on Sunday.
Once again his closest challenge came from Darryl Bartho, with Australian ski star Ashley Nesbitt squeaking in just ahead of Herman Chalupsky for third place. Barry Lewin added a fourth South African name to the top six, finishing just behind local paddler Dean Beamann.
The race was held in relatively mild winds without heavy swell, favouring the younger, fitter paddlers.
However, Chalupsky’s successive wins have added credence to the belief that experience in ocean-racing conditions are critical to the outcome of any race.
”I was very happy to win,” said Chalupsky. ”Darryl was relentless. On the last leg I figured I had Darryl since I felt that I had a better line.”
Typically gracious, Bartho was left scratching his head. ”It was tough today. Oscar hasn’t been beaten me all year and he comes and does it three [times] in one week!”
Having dominated the two-leg Perth World Cup, the squad now heads for Dubai where next weekend’s inaugural international ski event has attracted a number of the world’s best ski paddlers. — Sapa