The 2016 HIF State SUP Winter Titles concluded today with condition for the downwinder 10km marathon a balmy (and glassy) 12 deg. Suns out, guns out was the cal...l as 11 intrepid paddlers battled it out from Taranna to Eaglehawk Neck. An early group broke away led by Ben Stockwin (very closely) followed by Kevin "007" and Luke "you don't win a race in the first 3km" OGarey. Around Dart island Kevin and Luke battled it out for the remaining 7km while the remainder of the field enjoyed conditions and battle themselves. In the end Luke narrowly pipped Kevin by mere metres. A great turn out for this race preceded by a great turnout in yesterday's Technical race shows the racing scene in Tasmania is taking off. <div class="text_exposed_show">Results 9.43km Marathon Luke O'Garey 1.03.30 Kevin Kemp-Smith 1.03.56 Grant Howe 1.07.05 Ben Stockwin 1.08.30 Jake Steel 1.10.24 Peter Genders 1.12.23 Danny Griffiths 1.14.14** Jared Reed 1.17.26 Steve Miller 1.17.43 Matthew Steele/Anthony Spinks 1.19. words by Ben Stocking
ps: being a surfer from way back I have always pursued the wave side of SUP.
And this year, as with all previous Winter Classic events, the wave setup has been
perfect and the wave riding very engaging and entertaining.
BUT the race boards put on a real performance both in the BOP and Downwind Marathon.
On the day the BOP event was THE event which brought everyone to their feet barracking.
We look forward to next year's race boarder's display.
Looking forward to Stu Gibson's vid of this event. Tony Leitch (TassieSUP)
