Pretorius takes win in Hawaii
16 May 2006
Durban ski paddler Clint Pretorius won the Expedia.com Kaua'i World Challenge ski race in Hawaii at the weekend after teaming up with a local paddler, Eric Abbott, a 19-year-old, who is a member of the US sprint team.
The elite 50-kilometre relay is made up of four legs, with the handovers taking place on beaches on the island of Kaua'i.
The race was led by Team Kia Maxe paddler Kenny Collins from the start at Wailua Beach to Hanama'lua Beach, where he handed over to Oscar Chalupsky.
At that stage Abbott was in second, and Pretorius set off in pursuit of Chalupsky on the eight-kilometre leg to Kalapaki, with seasoned ski paddler Joe Glickman coming into the transition in third.
The teams jostled for the lead over the longer final two legs, with Pretorius wrapping victory on the final 18-kilometre paddle from Po'ipu to the overall finish at Salt Pond. He and Abbott combined for a winning time of three hours, 37 minutes and 40 seconds.
The relay, which carried prize money of $20 000, is a precursor to the annual Molokai Challenge, which Chalupsky is setting out to win for a record twelfth time this coming weekend.
Nearly 100 teams participated in the event.
SouthAfrica.info reporter
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