Central Coast paddler Jemma Smith had a clean sweep at the Shaw and Partners Forster Race Weekend on April 22-23.
After taking out the Women’s Nine Mile Cup from Forster to Black Head Beach on Saturday Smith backed it up Sunday by winning the 20km open-ocean Women’s Forster Ocean Classic from Elizabeth Beach to Forster.
Saturday delivered sunny conditions with a 12 knot SE cross-wind for the Nine Mile Cup, with the field having to negotiate a shore dump off the start, before they set out on the 13km journey to Black Head Beach.
For Smith, the current women’s world ocean ski champion, it was a return to her happy hunting ground on the Barrington Coast.
She led from the start and stitched up a convincing victory in the Nine Mile, crossing the finish line at Black Head Beach in 1h33s.
Sascha Taurins from Sydney’s northern beaches came second with a time of 1h3m04s, more than 2.5 minutes behind Smith, with Northcliffe ironwoman Emily Doyle taking third spot.
“It was a bit tricky getting off the beach with the shore dump but I managed to get in my ski and away cleanly which I was happy with,” Smith said after the race.
“It was quite a technical race; the wind was coming from the side but the last few kilometres were fun.”
On Sunday, the field had to conquer a tricky shore break off Elizabeth Beach before setting paddle for Forster, a 12km leg in the open-ocean to the turn of Cape Hawke, and then 8km through to the finish line at Forster Beach.
For Smith it was far from an easy Sunday afternoon paddle but victory for the 24-year-old was within reach from the get-go.
She won the start, mastering the shore dump and leaving the competition in her wake.
She took the victory in 1h33m03s, more than four minutes ahead of Sascha Taurins (1h37m.06) and Northcliffe ironwoman, Emily Doyle (1h38m0s).
“It was a tricky start off the beach but I managed to get a good start,” Smith said.
“The wind and swell came from behind and I got some awesome runs off Cape Hawke.
“It was exhilarating, it was really fun with so many runners to ride.”
Terry Collins