Granger Bay – Graeme Solomon took full advantage of the mild ocean conditions to race to victory in the Brian's Kayaks Mellerware Oceana Race, winning his first title of this summer's Discovery Sunglass Hut Surfski Series and becoming the fourth winner in six races.

Solomon's return to his beloved surfski proved to be a hotly contested affair involving top sprinter Shaun Rubenstein and the classy Fish Hoek lifesaver Jayden Alford Loots in mirror-like seas from the Oceana Powerboat club to Clifton Fourth beach and back.

With the doubles crew of Pierre-Andre Rabie and Daantjie Malan adding spice to the race up front, it was Rubenstein who was the first to fall off the lead bunch as they turned back towards Granger Bay.

Graeme Solomon managed to work the small running swell and took the lead in the closing stages as the lead trio passed the Radisson Hotel and into view of the finish line.

“It great to win my first race back in a surfski for the season after the disappointment of the not being able to finish at the K2 world Marathon championships," said a delighted Solomon. "It's been a long canoe season and its great to be back on the sea” he added.

The popular veteran winner added that he was looking forward to next weekend’s Strand race when the other elite paddlers have returned from Hong Kong.

The Ladies race was again won by Blouberg Surf Lifesaving Club's Bianca Beavitt followed by Eloise van Gyssen, fellow Fish Hoek lifesaver Robin Smith and Maties student Brynde Fisher-Jeffes.

“It’s great to be winning!" enthused Beavitt afterwards, and admitted that she has been struggling to juggle her study commitments and trying to get back to full fitness.

The Doubles Race was convincingly won by Strand legend Daantjie Malan and Maties all-rounder Pierre-Andre Rabie followed by the mixed doubles pair of Liz Hart and Edgar Boehm (Jnr) and the rudderless pair of Brett Steyn and Sean Hooper zigzagging in to take 3rd.

The Series moves to The Strand for race seven, The Island Tribe Daniel Conradie Memorial Race on Sunday 26 November. More details can be found at www.surfski.co.za

SUMMARY OF RESULTS

BRIANS KAYAK MELLERWARE OCEANA RACE

RACE 6 OF THE DISCOVERY SUNGLASS HUT SURFSKI SERIES:

OVERALL

ELITE MEN

1. Graeme Solomon (Peninsula) 1:06:29

2. Jayden Alford-Loots (Peninsula) 1:06:38

3. Dominic Notten (Peninsula) 1:07:59

4. Ian Black (Peninsula) 1:08:15

5. Craig Flanagan( Peninsula) 1:08:31

6. Kenny Rice (Peninsula) 1:09:05

7. Shaun Rubenstein ( Peninsula) 1:09:44

8. Ivan Kruger (Century City) 1:10:39

9. Ernest Van Riet (Maties) 1:10:47

10. Lyle Maasdorp (Peninsula) 1:10:50

ELITE LADIES

1. Bianca Beavitt (Milnerton) 1:20:46

2. Eloise van Gysen (Fish Hoek) 1:21.34

2. Robin Smith (Fish Hoek) 1:23:27

3. Brynde Fisher-Jeffes (Maties) 1:26:07

DOUBLES

1. Daantjie Malan/Pierre-Andre Rabie (S/bosch) 1:06:35

2. Liz Hart / Edgar Boehm (Peninsula) 1:09:28

3. Brett Steyn/Sean Hooper (Peninsula/CTY) 1:20:27