South Africa’s Michele Eray and Sean Rice have become the first ICF Ocean Racing World Champions by winning their respective categories in the inaugural race hosted in Portugal (12-14 July).

The historic championship took place on the beach of Ofir, Esposend, on the north coast of Portugal, and attracted more than 380 athletes spanning five continents.

With a strong tradition in the sport of Ocean Racing, the South African athletes demonstrated their talent and swept-up four of the six medals on offer.

Sean Rice (RSA), the recently crowned South African Ocean Race Champion, was the first to return to the shoreline, setting a blistering pace and winning the world title in a time of 1h30.06.

The Australian duo of Tim Jacobs (1h30.36) and Cory Hill (1h30.46) took sliver and bronze respectively.

Commenting after the race, Rice said, “That was my best race I ever raced. I cannot explain. It’s a fantastic feeling. I will go back home now and will start training again, after a big party of course!

Rice will now target the ICF Canoe Sprint and Canoe Marathon World Championships that will take place in August and September later this year.

In the women’s race South Africa occupied every spot on the podium, with Michele Eray (1h43.27) edging-out her compatriot Michelle Burn (1h43.28) by just over a second to take gold by the slimmest of margins.

Bronze went to Nikki Mocke (RSA) in a time of 1h43.36.
 
Non-World Championship Events

In the U23 race Grant Walt (RSA) won in a time of 1h31.49. Fellow countryman, Brandon Walt (1h33.53) took second with Australia’s Michael Booth (1h34.14) finishing third.

New Zealand’s Teneale Hatton was the dominant force in the U23 Women’s event.  The youngster was clear winner and secured top spot in a time of 1h44.06.

France’s Mouden Angie came second (1h48.20) and was one of the few Europeans to step on the podium. Third went to Bianca Beavitt (RSA).

South Africa also took the top three positions in the Junior Men’s category, with Kenny Rice - younger brother of Sean – finishing first and Nicholas Notten and Gene Prato second and third respectively.

Kirsten Flanagan (RSA) won the Junior Women’s race; Portugal’s Catarina Santos took second followed by Jamie Brinkworth (AUS).

Full results and further race information can be found at http://summerchallenge.nelo.eu