Homegirl champion Jade Wilson benefited from a navigation error from defending champion Kira Bester to claim a popular home-town win in the women’s race of the Biogen Pete Marlin Surfski Race in East London on Saturday, 2 November, 2024.
“This is my first time winning, and this is my best result for surfski paddling, and these conditions definitely favoured me!”
2024 Pete Marlin Surfski Champion, Jade Wilson
The changing wind predictions in the days leading up to the race meant the organisers switched the race days and then swapped them back on Friday, so the singles were reinstated to Saturday racing and the doubles crews will battle for glory on Sunday.
The changing pre-event conditions were mirrored in the race, as paddlers had small surf to help them until just before the finish, when they were met by tough headwinds.
Wilson said winning her home race had great significance for her. “I am an East London local, so it is extra-special for me to win this against a stacked field of world-class paddlers.
“It went better than expected. I didn’t even know I’d won until I crossed the finish line. It was hard work out there … we had to work very hard to catch the bumps, so it was a hard grind basically the whole way for me, so I’m stoked.
Wilson’s victory was loudly celebrated by the local spectators, and nobody can begrudge her the win, but her race to the title was made a little easier by a major error by defending champion Kira Bester.
While in contention for the win, the recently crowned World Champion from Cape Town did not recognise the finish and misjudged her turn to the beach.
A distraught Bester said she overshot the finish and effectively paddled past the East London Surf Lifesaving Club before turning back to eventually finish seventh.
Leading Women’s Results at the 2024 Pete Marlin, in East London on Saturday, 2 November, 2024
1. Jade Wilson 1:26:19
2. Nix Birkett 1:27:17
3. Georgia Singe 1:28:24
4. Melanie van Niekerk 1:28:54
5. Chloe Bunnett 1:29:19
6. Christy Shrimpton 1:30:29
7. Kira Bester 1:31:17
8. Candice Starr 1:35:04
9. Kirstin Scott 1:38:49
10. Ellen Strydom 1:39:00
Original Copy: Tim Whitfield for Gameplan Media, with editing by gsport
Photo Caption: Home-town champion Jade Wilson pictured centre on her way to claiming a career-best finish at the 2024 Pete Marlin off the coast of East London, in the Eastern Capet, on Saturday, 2 November, 2024. All Photos: Bruce Viaene / Gameplan Media
Photo 2 Caption: Wilson made no error to cross the line first after pre-race favourite Kira Bester misjudged her turn to the beach. All Photos: Madison Malherbe / Gameplan Media
Photo 3 Caption: Wilson said the conditions suited her after her win, which was loudly celebrated by the local spectators. All Photos: Bruce Viaene / Gameplan Media
Photo 4 Caption: Nix Birkett crossed the line just under a minute later for this year’s Pete Marlin silver medal. All Photos: Bruce Viaene / Gameplan Media
(0 rating, 0 votes, rated)
Loading...
