Matthew Fenn and Saskia Johanna Hockly delivered gold for hosts South Africa on a thrilling day of surfski double racing at the International Canoe Federation Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships in Durban.
A year after taking world bronze, the South African pairing proved too strong on familiar waters as they quickly took control and emerged victorious in the mixed SS2.
Fenn and Hockly thrilled the home fans as they crossed the finish line in a winning time of 1:51:16 to seal victory.
Click here for live startlists and results from Durban
“It was good fun,” said Fenn.
“We had a hard race out there, the sea threw all sorts of conditions at us and we conquered them so we are very happy.
“To see everyone on the beach and come home as a South African to win a world title here is incredible.”
France’s Thais Delrieux and Hector Henot secured silver in 1:53:34, while there was a terrific battle for the final spot on the podium.
Spain’s Walter Bouzan and Judit Verges Xifra, the 2023 world champions, were on course for the bronze medal only to capsize close to the finish, giving South Africans Jenna Nisbet and Hamish Lovemore an opening.
The Spaniards did well to recover but Nisbet and Lovemore seized their opportunity to clinch bronze in 1:56:56.
Hockly added: “I think PaddleSport South Africa and the ICF have done an incredible job hosting this World Championships.
“To see so many internationals make the trip out to the southern most tip of Africa is truly special.
“It’s great to be able to share our conditions with the rest of the world and show what it is like to paddle on a South African coastline.”
Results
- Matthew FENN and Saskia Johanna HOCKLY (RSA) 1:51:16
- Thais DELRIEUX and Hector HENOT (FRA) 1:53:34
- Jenna NISBET and Hamish LOVEMORE (RSA) 1:56:56
Competition will continue tomorrow with the women’s and men’s surfski single titles up for grabs.
Full coverage of the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships can be viewed on the Planet Canoe YouTube channel.
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