McGregor powers to victory in Pirates Umhlanga Pirates

Durban - McGregor boasted another win at the popular CMH Toyota Pirates Umhlanga Pirates race which formed the eighth leg of the Discovery Sunglass Hut Surfski Series on Sunday in wet winter conditions.

The historic race, widely acknowledged as the oldest surf ski race in the world, was treated to an elite line up of paddlers who were unfortunately met with miserably wet conditions at they headed out of Pirates beach with a full 24 km or 12 km short course ahead of them as they begun their trek to Umhlanga and back.

McGregor had a stellar race in flat conditions and he eluded to the fact that he was using this race as part of his crucial training ahead of the Windhoek Berg Canoe Marathon set to take place from 14 to 17 July.

"It was a fantastic day out," said McGregor. " It was great heading with the wind down to Umhlanga out you can't forget that you have to turn back at some point and travel directly into the wind."

The absence of both the current series leader Matt Bouman, who is still injured after dislocating his shoulder in a race two weeks ago, and U23 World Marathon Champ Grant van der Walt left the title up for taking. Series regulars Murray Smith and Wayne Wilson managed to take full advantage of the absentees creeping into a close second and third positions respectively.

The ace pair of Barry Lewin and Dusi legend Ant Stott claimed their third doubles title in the current series cementing their positions as favourites in the doubles race. Regulars on the podium Quinton Rutherford and Bryan Taylor followed in second and Mark Lewin and Mark Mulder taking home third.

The ladies race came to a holt as series regular Michelle Eder opted to paddle in a double with Oliver Burn yet still managing to scoop the title in the doubles race. The pair were followed by Wayne Ashford and Shirley Delpech in second and Derek and Lynne Hauntfleisch in third.