The cream of the Australian Ocean Racing elite were on show at Manly Beach in NSW last weekend for the first race of the National Championships, the Belle Property Manly King of the Harbour. 

Murrays Stewart is well on the way to adding another National Title trophy to the “Pool Room” after a dramatic win over his kayak coach Tim Jacobs. Stewart is the reigning 1000 meter flatwater champ and proved last weekend that he has what it takes in the bouncy stuff also.

It was a race in three with Stewart, Jacobs and the Gold Coasts Michael Booth jostling for the lead around the massive cliffs of North Head and the harbour entrance.

From Left Tim Jacobs, Murray Stewart and Michael Booth

Photo Credit: FloorandFoto.com.au

After a fast start lead out by the young brigade of Joel McKitterick, Jeremy Collins and Riley Fitsimmons, the older crew started making their way through the field. By the time they had moved out of the protected water and into the cauldron that is Bluefish Point the experience begin to shine through and those with a few of these races under their belt moved to front.

Belle Property Manly King of the Harbour start at Manly Beach

Photo Credit: FloorandFoto.com.au

The course took the paddlers from Manly Beach around into the Harbour and back to Manly Beach. This course is known for its backwash and fast moving currents which the local contingent of Jacobs and Stewart took advantage of.

Paddlers had the spectacular view of a whale as they made their way around North Head.

Photo Credit: Blake Horton

As the field made the turn in the calmer waters of the Harbour it was a race in three. Not far behind were Jeremy Cotter, Reece Baker, Greg Tobin, Dane Sloss, Mark Anderson.

The trio made their way back through the maelstrom of North Head and used the small runs available to surf their way back to Manly. Booth, who had not really prepared for the event after a recent debut in SUP racing slowly faded and the Mentor and student diced for the final two kilometres.

A slew on a small wave at Fairy Bower almost cost Stewart the race but the power of the sprint champ enabled him to put back alongside Jacobs and a final sprint across the sand bar to finish was never going to be in doubt as Stewart surged away.

Hannah Minogue who recently qualified for the Iron-women series looked odds on favourite for the ladies race that is until Molokai Champ Rachael Clarke showed up from New Zealand. Clark who took out this year’s Molokai has been preparing for the upcoming Doctor and looked as if she was going to give the “Gongs’ favourite daughter a run for her money. Behind the scenes and playing her cards very close to her chest was Victorian Wendy Reyntjes.

Top 5 Women. From Left Mel Pelly (5th), Hannah Minoque (1st), Wendy Reyntjes (2nd), Tracy Wilson (3rd) and Camille De Carmejane-Vesc (4th)

Photo Credit: Yanda Morison

The girls started before the men giving them an indication of who they were racing and as expected Minogue got away to a solid lead. Clarke who was holding down second place and battling with Reyntjes suddenly stopped and withdrew from the race due to an injury. Unfortunately for the “Kiwi” champ is was a big set back.

Minogue who looked comfortable at the front was being chased down by the Southerner (Reyntjes) and held onto the lead and the win by a mere 30 seconds.

Due to the National Titles being held in QLD only a small SUP contingent turned up on the day with Mark Rennie taking the win.

The Anytime Fitness Australian Ocean Racing Series (AORS) heads to the South Australia for the next event to be held on November 2. The following weekend Coffs Harbour will host the tour then the whole thing heads to Western Australia for two very solid weeks of racing. Click on below link for all event information.

http://www.oceanpaddler.com/events/australian-ocean-racing-series/

Photo Credit: Yanda Morison

“This is the biggest thing to happen in Ocean Paddling for a long time” said race organizer Dean Gardiner. “The support of Anytime Fitness and Men’s Fitness Magazine is absolutely amazing and we look forward to seeing the sport keep growing the way it has over the last few years.”

RESULTS – Full results from the King of the Harbour can be found on the link below.

http://oceanpaddler.racetecresults.com/results.aspx?CId=115&RId=45

PHOTOS – More event photos can be found on the below links.

http://www.geosnapshot.com/e/King-of-the-Harbour

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10152359915037274.1073741832.317952502273&type=1