South African paddlers poised for success at the 2017 ICF Ocean Racing world championships

South Africa's Strong Contenders Eyeing World Championship Glory

The formidable South African surfski squad is gearing up for a dominant performance at the 2017 ICF Ocean Racing World Championships, set to take place in Hong Kong this weekend. The team arrives with high ambitions, aiming to secure numerous medal positions across both the men's and women's categories, building on their previous international showing.

Reflecting on 2015 and Setting New Targets

At the 2015 international ocean racing event in Tahiti, the South African team experienced a mixed bag of results. In the senior men's race, Jasper Mocké was the highest finisher in third place, followed closely by Sean Rice in fourth, and Hank McGregor in sixth. The only gold medal for the men came from Mark Keeling in the Under 18 division. This year, the team is determined to improve significantly on these figures amidst the competitive environment of Hong Kong.

The women's results in 2015 were similarly varied. Jenna Ward clinched gold in the Under 23 women's race, while Hayley Nixon secured a fifth-place finish in the senior ladies' event. With a strong roster of athletes, Team South Africa anticipates a far more successful campaign in 2017.

Familiar Waters: The Hong Kong Advantage

A significant advantage for the South African paddlers is their familiarity with the race venue. The championships will utilize the same challenging 22-kilometer course as the renowned Hong Kong Dragon Run, a race where South African athletes have historically excelled. This intimate knowledge of the course could prove crucial for their medal aspirations.

Evidence of this success was seen in the 2016 Dragon Run, where Hank McGregor emerged victorious, narrowly beating Australia's Corey Hill, with fellow South African Sean Rice earning the bronze. That year, an impressive seven South African paddlers finished within the top ten of the men's race. In the women's...

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