Hank McGregor Set To Defend HIS Molokai Hattrick Tittle in Hawaii:
Hank McGregor defends his Molokai Challenge hattrick title. Photo: Gameplan Media
This weekend sees multiple World Champion, Hank McGregor (Jeep Team) defend This weekend sees multiple World Champion, Hank McGregor (Jeep Team) defend his Molokai Challenge hattrick title against the best surfski paddlers in the world. against the best surfski paddlers in the world.
Originally named Kanaka Ikaika, the Molokai Challenge is a true test of paddling skill, endurance and knowledge of ocean surfing. It tests a paddler’s ability to manoeuvre against unpredictable weather conditions in the Kaiwi Channel.
The Kaiwi Channel, more often called the “Molokai Channel” is an expanse of ocean between the island of Molokai and Oahu. It is considered one of the roughest ocean channels in the world when the ocean is angry.
The start is off the west end of Molokai near Kaluakoi, and finishes 51-km away in the Marina off Hawaii Kai.
‘The Molokai’, the former World Championships of Open Ocean Surfski, is one of the toughest races on the surfski calendar, and the 2016 race was no exception.
With flat conditions and a very strong race contingent, the 2016 race was brutally tough up front with Clint Robinson, Jasper Mocke, Sean Rice, Hank McGregor and Cory Hill all trading places throughout the 53-km crossing.
In the end, it was McGregor who crossed the line in 1st place, paddling past a very frustrated Cory Hill who, with only 2-km left to the finish, had gone too close to the infamous China Wall reefs, consequently smashing his rudder
The defending champion had to relinquish his lead to give McGregor a Molokai hattrick. Sean Rice and Jasper Mocke, who are both still searching for that elusive Molokai victory, capitalized on a step up the podium, while 3 x former winner Clint Robinson finished in 4th place.
2016 Men’s Rankings – Pos First Name Last Name Title Non-Title Total points:
- Hank McGregor 3000 500 3500
- Cory Hill 2996 500 3496
- Dawid Mocke 2990 500 3490
- Matthew Bouman 2980 499 3479
- Jasper Mocke 2978 500 3478
- Mark Anderson 2974 498 3472
- Kenneth Rice 2968 498 3466
- Mackenzie Hynard 2946 498 3444
- Barry Lewin 2942 496 3438
- Shaun Austin 2876 482 3358
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