World Series champion Dawid Mocke (in black cap below) paddled to reclaim the Dragon Run title yesterday.

It was the third time he won the 24-kilometer open sea race, after losing it last year.   The South African won the fourth annual race from Clearwater Bay via the Ninepins to Stanley Main Beach in 1hour, 33 minutes and 30 seconds.

Australian Jeremy Cotter, who was second last year, came in second again.  Fellow Australian David Rhodes was third.

Australians edged out their South African competitors in the battle for the top 10 rankings in the race that attracted more than 100 paddlers.

Australia’s Ben Allen was fourth, Bruce Taylor took fifth, Cory Hill seventh and Michael Booth ninth.

Dawid Mocke’s brother Jasper was sixth while fellow South Africans Herman Chalupsky and Sean Rice finished eighth and 10th respectively.

In the women’s surf ski division, Nikki Mocke won in 1:50,28 which meant the husband and wife team pocketed US$7,500 (R51,000) in prize money.

(Picture and story South China Morning Post 28/11/2010)