Teem Jeep’s Michelle Burn made her somewhat unexpected return from injury, despite many expecting her to be out of action for a couple more weeks, to claim race six of the Varsity College Marine Surfski Series, the Hansa Surfski Challenge.
With Thursday this week seeing the entire paddling fraternity across the country focused on the start of The Unlimited Dusi canoe marathon, series organiser shifted this week’s race from its traditional Friday evening slot to Tuesday, to enable paddlers to enjoy the best of both the river and the sea this week.
The Series’ defending champion, having raced the series opener, has been out of action for three weeks due to an injury sustained at the N3TC Drak Challenge, but Burn looked as though she’d never left as she powered her way to a commanding victory in the women’s race.
“It’s been three weeks and I was a bit nervous coming back today, having not paddled at all in that time, so I did a session yesterday and felt quite good, but knew I was a long way off the levels of fitness I was at before the break,” said Burn.
“If I didn’t do this race though I wouldn’t have gotten the six results I needed in order to get some kind of respectable placing for the series, so I thought I’d just give it a shot and see how things went. I definitely didn’t expect things to go quite as well as they did though!”
“Not being able to paddle has been killing me. Every day I would look at my boat and just want to get back out there, and would have to just settle with going for a swim instead. Hence I’ve been swimming quite a bit over the past two weeks, and I think that has definitely helped me keep some sort of fitness up.”
“It’s great to be back though and, whilst my focus for the year is definitely on the World Champs in Portugal in July, and therefore the SA Champs in April in order to qualify, to be able to defend my series title would be fantastic too so we’ll just have to see how things go in the next four races.”
Nikki Russell raced to another second-place whilst winner of the past four races of the series, Tiffany Kruger, had to settle for third this time around.
Race seven of the Varsity College Marine Surfski Series, the Dion Wired Surfski Challenges, takes place on Friday 22 February with all the action getting underway at the usual 17h30.
Leading Results for the Women Singles (Long Course) Hansa Surfski Challenge, Race Six of the Varsity College Marine Surfski Series, on Tuesday, 12 February, 2013: 1. Michelle Burn 40.32 2. Nikki Russell 42.20 3. Tiffany Kruger 43.00 Singles – Junior Girls: 1. Savannah van Rooyen 58.13 Leading Results at the Hansa Surfski Challenge, on Saturday, 9 February, 2013: 1. Tiffany Kruger 38.37 2. Nikki Russell 39.00 3. Danica Bartho 39.42 Singles – Junior Girls: 1. Savannah van Rooyen 50.16 Doubles – Overall: 1. Matt Bouman/Keren Worlock 33.48 2. Quinton Rutherford/Kerry Segal 34.24 3. Hank McGregor/Pippa Elliott 34.43 Leading Results at the Thule Surfski Challenge, Race Four of the Varsity College Marine Surfski Series, on 2 February, 2013: 1. Tiffany Kruger 41.27 2. Nikki Russell 41.41 3. Danica Bartho 42.25 Singles – Junior Girls: 1.Savannah van Rooyen 51.36 Leading Results at the Buddys Surfski Challenge, Race Three of the Varsity College Marine Surfski Series, on 26 January, 2013: 1.Tiffany Kruger 42.43 2.Jenna Ward 45.28 3.Julie Cornelius 46.13 Singles – Junior Girls: 1.Savannah van Rooyen 52.36 2.Tahne Bush 59.49 Leading Results at the Billy The Bums Surfski Challenge, Race Two of the Varsity College Marine Surfski Series, on 18 January, 2013: 1.Tiffany Kruger 43.20 2.Jenna Venter 43.25 3.Jacqui Boyd 46.55 Singles – Junior Girls: 1.Savannah van Rooyen 53.18 Leading Results at the Borland Surfski Challenge, Race One of the Varsity College Marine Surfski Series, on 14 January, 2013: 1.Michelle Burn 40.50 2.Danica Bartho 41.26 3.Tiffany Kruger 41.39 4.Jenna Ward 43.25 5.Bob Oppermann 46.49 Singles – Junior Girls: 1.Savannah van Rooyen 50.42 2.Tahne Bush 55.56
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