Le Morne - It was a dominant display from the surfski heavy weights in the Western Cape as the Mocké family won both the men’s and the women’s singles at the recent Mauritius Ocean Classic that took place in the island paradise last weekend with Jasper and Nikki proving too strong for their respective fields as they claimed the top podium step.

The men’s race was an exciting affair with Jasper pipping older brother Dawid in a final sprint to claim his first Mauritius Ocean Classic and tighten his grip on the World Surf Ski Series.

“I was really stoked about getting the win this past weekend,” the Fenn Kayaks/Mocké Paddling Gear’s paddler said. “I really wanted to get this win. Only Hank (McGregor) and Daw (Mocké) have won this race so it was important for me to break into that that group of winners!”

Perfect downwind conditions greeted the paddlers as they set off and it was Dawid Mocké who set the early pace with brother Jasper and Durban Surfski sensation Matt Bouman establishing themselves as the next two contenders. Mocké managed to drop Bouman towards the end of the race and caught his brother which meant a frantic final sprint and a narrow victory for Jasper.

“If organisers wanted perfect conditions for a downwind, the conditions over the weekend were them! They were perfect with some good swells and bit of a wave coming in but the conditions were great.

“I got a nice run on the reef which got me up to Daw who had led for 99% of the race but after I got him it came down to the 1.5km of flat water that finished the race.

“I knew that Daw was going to be the man to beat and once I caught him I still had a lot of work to do but I am really proud that I managed to get the win and hold off Daw right at the end,” Mocké beamed.

With three wins under his belt so far in the World Surf Ski Series, Mocké was eyeing out the Mauritius Ocean Classic as an important race on his calendar considering the amount of points that were on offer from the race.

“I had put a lot of my focus into this race, it was my third time doing it and with the points that were on offer it was important that I get the win here to try and stay ahead of the chasing guys on the log.

“Races all have different points allocation and Mauritius has a lot of points on offer so I needed to get this win because there is still a chance that I could get caught with quite a few races remaining in the season,” a cautious Mocké added.

Mocké has been in top form recently with a win at the South African Surfski Championships as well as a win and a second at the South African Marathon Championships and marathon racing is where Mocké’s focus is and he can only speculate as to why he is in such good form.

“My form has been surprising and I was sick in April and May so had to take some time away from paddling so I think that might have helped. Just relaxing and taking a break could be the difference.

“After SA Marathon Champs I am focusing on my marathon paddling with the World Champs coming up in September so I am doing the Berg but that is mainly part of my training for Marathon Worlds,” he explained.

Having to fight off his brother for the win over the weekend Mocké was quick to point out that the rivalry between the two is healthy yet it does not get in the way of their relationship.

“We race really hard against one another but we have been doing it for so long that we have learnt to deal with it and it is something that we deal with well.

“Our father has passed away but we always know that he would be really proud of us if he was there to see us finishing first and second in a race – it is always sad that there has to be a loser,” Mocké commented.

It was Nikki Mocké who dominated the women’s race at the Mauritius Ocean Classic as she finished 25th overall and four minutes ahead of the second women – Nicole Russel. It was the third win at the event for Mocké following wins in 2010 and last year.

SUMMARY OF RESULTS – Mauritius Ocean Classic

Overall

1. Jasper Mocke 1:13:06
2. Dawid Mocke 1:13:09
3. Matt Bouman 1:14:09
4. Barry Lewin 1:14:47
5. Tom Schilperoort 1:15:18
6. Jean-Luc Mauvis 1:15:18
7. Sean Rice - Think 1:15:26
8. Steve Woods 1:15:40
9. Reece Baker 1:15:56
10. Oscar Chalupsky 1:16:02

Women

1. Nikki Mocke 1:27:17
2. Nicole Russel 1:31:32
3. Angie Mouden 1:34:23