The Australian National Distance Titles took place December 12th & 13th at Coffs Harbor. Saturday’s 27km distance race was intended to be a down winder, but the downwind never showed. Instead, the downwind was replaced by a fresh 12 mph headwind that turned the race into a "27 km mile washing machine" that tested racers abilities, stamina, and strength. The only respite was the fact that the race could be done as a relay.
At the end of the grueling 27km, the race was won solo by Hobie’s Byron Kurt of California using a custom shaped 14’ Hobie Race Board , and fellow team rider Tommy Lloy who also did the race solo finished 6th on a similar 14.
“Looking back and not seeing another SUP close, I was happy to see the finish line at the pier in the harbor. I was gassed. Tommy finished 6th overall which was great since he does not train at all, just surfs. Tommy will be a serious threat if he trains and takes racing serious. He finished a very respectable 7th overall at this year’s Rainbow Sandals Battle of the Paddle and I feel that there will be more great finishes from him in the future” commented Byron
27KM RELAY RACE – 12th December 2009
At the 12km 1/2 way mark and the changeover the positions were:
1st – Byron Kurt – Hobie 14 -Solo
2nd – Pete Meyer – Naish 14
3rd – Mick Di Betta – LahuKai 14
4th – Simon Dodd – C4 14
5th – Noel Graham DC17
6th – Tommy Lloy – Hobie 14 – Solo
7th – Alison Fullager – Naish 14
8th – Jasleigh Geary – Naish 14
9th – Rod Clarke – DC16
10th – Sue Sheard – DC16 with a broken rudder (DNF)
At the 27km finish in the harbour the final results were:
1st – Byron Kurt – Hobie 14 – Solo
2nd – Paul Jackson (Pete Meyer) – Naish 14
3rd – Shakira Westdorp (Mick Di Betta) – LahuKai 14
4th – Sunny Russell (Noel Graham) – DC17
5th – Will Anido (Simon Dodd) – C4 14
6th – Tommy Lloy- Hobie 14 – Solo
7th – Mark Waldeck (Alison) – Naish 14
8th – Angela Van Hoof (Jasleigh) – Naish 14
9th – Brett Williams (Rod Clarke) – DC16
10th – Sue Sheard DC16 – DC16 with a broken rudder (DNF)
SUP long Course Relay Nat Titles from Ocean Sports Media on Vimeo.
Join Hobie Stand Up Paddleboards on Face Book - http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/pages/Hobie-Stand-Up-Paddleboards/44977062854?ref=nf
