Error costs SA surf skiers
9 May 2005
A crucial error in the dying stages of the 54-kilometre Kaua'i World Challenge ocean relay race cost the Team Kia Maxe duo of Durban brothers Oscar and Herman Chalupsky the title at the weekend.
The Chalupsky siblings had been locked in a titanic struggle with the powerful Australian duo of nine-time Molokai champion Dean Gardiner and Olympic double-medallist Nathan Baggaley over the 54 kilometre relay course that included four beach stops.
The fourth and final leg saw Oscar Chalupsky start five seconds ahead of Gardiner, as they diced for the finish at Salt Pond. Chalupsky resisted all the attacks made by Gardiner, and looked to be in control of the race as they headed for final marker buoy. But it was then that disaster struck.
'I overran the turning buoy'
"At the last point before the turn into the finish I made an error and overran the turning buoy", Chalupsky said afterwards. "This gave Gardiner about a
40-second lead going into the last kilometre of the race going into the wind."
Chalupsky fought back to within seven seconds of Gardiner, but had to be content with the runner-up placing.
Durban paddler Darryl Bartho took an early lead in the race, before Herman Chalupsky took control. The race was run in tough trade wind conditions, against a large and competitive field.
Herman Chalupsky handed over to his older brother with Australian sprint sensation Baggaley five seconds ahead. Oscar Chalupsky, however, turned the tables and finished his first leg with a 20-second lead over Gardiner.
Tight battle
At the handover, Baggaley was delayed by a toilet stop, which gave the Durban brothers an unexpected extra 20 second head-start at the beginning of the third leg. Baggaley, though, fought back impressively, and finished right on Chalupsky's tail.
After the drama that played itself out at the final turning buoy, the jubilant
Australians celebrated their victory over the Chalupsky brothers. "I have been here before, but beating the Chalupskys in an event like this is very sweet", Baggaley said.
The paddlers will use the week to rest and recover before the much anticipated Molokai Challenge next weekend, which Oscar Chalupsky has won a record 10 times.
Source: Canoeing South Africa
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