By: SUP Vic - The second running of the Great Melbourne Paddle was run today (4th December 2012) at Sandringham Beach. The original scheduled location, Green Point Brighton, had to be abandoned as 30 knot onshore winds and rough seas made the course hazardous. The relocated course offered a little more protection, at least for the start of the race.

Queenslander and Fanatic Team rider, Paul “Jacko” Jackson got away to a great start, followed closely by Starboard international team rider Annabel Anderson from New Zealand. The two visitors, who both boast strong results in Battle of the Paddle and other international events, put on a clinic for the locals as they stretched the lead in the downwind leg and were never headed. Jacko eventually won the 3 lap race in 45’36″, followed just over a minute behind by Annabel.

Best of the locals, Anglesea’s Rupert Lancashire finished another 4 minutes back, yet the remarkable thing about Rupert’s own race is that he’d had no sleep, having come straight from a wedding reception the previous night where he served as best man.

Others to perform well included Andrew Hocking and Cameron Hosking, who was first in the 12’6″ Men’s category. Following him home just seconds later in the match race of the day was Chris Sal, and then very close behind them was Angie Jackson, the second woman to feature among the top 7.

In a terrific debut, big wave surfer Courtney Dalton from Torquay, finished in 8th place in his first ever SUP race. He was followed home by Paul Harrington, who won the masters category (45+). Rounding out the top 10 was former basketball champ Mark Bradtke, who used his powerful 7′ frame to muscle his way through the field.

Honorable mentions go to Jean Ringrose-Coyne, the winner of the women’s masters, and Ocean Grove’s Kristy Page, who won junior girls and was the only teenager able to complete the course.

Overall
Paul Jackson (Gold Coast)
Annabel Anderson (New Zealand)
Rupert Lancashire (Anglesea VIC)
Andrew Hocking (Melbourne VIC)
Cameron Hosking (Melbourne VIC)
Chris Sal (Melbourne VIC)
Angela Jackson (Gold Coast)
Courtney Dalton (Torquay VIC)
Paul Harrington (Melbourne VIC)
Mark Bradtke (Melbourne VIC)

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