Oz legend for Surf Ski World Cup
30 June 2006
The anticipation ahead of the Surf Ski World Cup in Durban has moved up a gear with the confirmation of the entry of ski racing legend Dean Gardiner as part of a six-man Australian team.
Gardiner has been a key player in recent internationals, and spearheaded the Australian attack at the last few World Cup events, as well as the legendary Molokai Challenge.
It was Gardiner who nearly spoilt the South African party at the inaugural World Cup in Cape Town two years ago, when he won the single ski race in impressive style.
Clean sweep
It took a South African clean sweep in the double ski race the following day to clinch the overall title for the host nation.
Last year, the rivalry between Australia and South Africa intensified at the World Cup in Perth. On that occasion Durban paddler Herman Chalupsky returned the compliment by winning the single ski event ahead of Gardiner.
However, Australia took
the overall title in the Perth World Cup in somewhat controversial circumstances. The organizers chose to include the results of veteran and master paddlers when calculating the overall champion nation. South Africa did not field any veteran or master paddlers in the event.
Ironically, it was the performance of ex-patriot South African Shaun Rice, now living in Australia, which swung the overall title Australia's way.
'There is still unfinished business'
For Herman Chalupsky, winning the overall World Cup title back from the Australians is his team’s top priority. "There is still unfinished business after the Perth World Cup," he said.
The rivalry between South Africa and Australia goes back to the popularisation of surf ski racing, says Chalupsky. "I guess it's just like cricket or rugby. Surf ski racing is big in Australia, as most Aussies live on the coast. Aussies hate losing, we all know that. But in this sport, they had better
get used to it," he added mischievously.
Gardiner has shared a fierce rivalry with Herman’s older brother Oscar Chalupsky that has seen them dominate the tough Molokai Challenge for the past twenty years, with Gardiner winning nine of the races to date.
'A great downwind paddler'
"Dean (Gardiner) is a great downwind paddler," said Herman Chalupsky. "If the weather on the day sets up big downwind runs, then he will be very competitive. My guess is that flat conditions won't suit him," added Chalupsky, who is the SA team captain.
Gardiner heads up an Australian team that features a number of form athletes, including Kurt Tutt, Dean Beadman, Tom Woodriff, Karl Teacher and Nick Dundee.
The Surf Ski World Cup gets under way on Sunday morning, 2 July, between Durban’s Bay of Plenty and Westbrook Beach, depending on the prevailing downwind conditions.
The event will be preceded by a spectator-friendly Grand Prix relay through
the surf at Bay of Plenty on Saturday.
Source: Surf Ski World Cup
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