Lettie's legacy continues through pink paddlers’ support

Durban – Paddlers from throughout KwaZulu-Natal and abroad painted Durban’s beachfront pink on Tuesday evening at the Lettie Paddle Surfski Challenge, race seven of the 2016 Varsity College FNB Marine Surfski Series, as they showed their support of those currently involved in a fight against cancer and in memory of those who have lost the battle to the disease . Temporarily moved from its traditional Friday evening slot due to this week’s FNB Dusi Canoe Marathon, the local surfski fraternity was joined by those from Cape Town, Johannesburg and elsewhere, in town for the iconic river race. At the sharp end of the field, Hank McGregor (Euro Steel/Epic Kayaks) enjoyed one last hit out before he and FNB Dusi partner Jasper Mocké tackle their 120km assignment later this week while Fenn Kayaks’ Nicole Russell claimed her fifth race win of this year’s series. “Conditions looked quite passive tonight so even though Dusi starts on Thursday, it was nice to get another good result at this year’s Marine Surfski Series under the belt,” explained McGregor. “It was also great to be a part of an evening like this; I think cancer is something that everyone can relate to as they’ve been affected by it in one way or another and so it is great to be part of the Lettie Paddle efforts again,” he added. McGregor raced home ahead of regular rival Matthew Bouman (Epic Kayaks) who in turn finished ahead of Wade Krieger (Falcon Sports Travel) while out-of-towners Dawid Mocke of Fish Hoek and Steve Woods of the Eastern Cape went head to head with Mocké (Fenn Kayaks/Mocké Paddling) narrowly claiming the better of the minor places. For Russell, who charged home ahead of a determined Hayley Nixon (Carbonology/Pink Lady) and young Kyeta Purchase (Euro Steel/Fenn Kayaks), the win sees her now on the brink of what would be a pleasing series title should she secured the single remaining result in any of the final three races. “Win or come last, I just love being out there on my ski!” said Russell....

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