Port Douglas Outrigger Canoe Club hosted their annual Marlin Coast Challenge Relay Race from Ellis Beach to Port Douglas lasts Saturday.

The   event caters   for Single (OC1) and Double (OC2) Outrigger canoe  and  Surf skis.  After the start at Ellis Beach, teams change over at Wangetti, Oak Beach and the southern end of Four Mile Beach before finishing the 38 kilometre race of Rex Smeal Park.

Paddlers form around the country, including teams from Darwin , made up the field of 68 crafts.

“We had almost perfect weather conditions this year,” club president, Ingrid Juchem, said. “Every year the event brings around 150 paddlers and their support crews to the area.”

Paddling in 15 to 20 knot winds in home waters gave the local paddlers an edge on their competitors. The open Women OC2 relay team of Kim St. Pierre, Kelly King, Lilli Jansen and Kasey Turnham won their category by almost six minutes.

Mia Messinger and Glen Thorp in the Open Mixed Iron had a 10 minute lead over their next rivals, husband and wife team from Cairns, Iva and Geoff Wright.

“I could not believe it,” Kim said. ”I thought Ingrid was joking when she announced the winner. I knew we had a good race but our competitors were really tuff. Winning in at home made it even more special.”

One of the biggest surprises of the day was the second place of the Open Men’s OC2 Relay team of Kevin Bellero, Dimitri Stievano, Vernon Carpenter and Darren Heatley. The rather inexperienced crew, three of the men only started in the sport less than six month ago beat a very  strong field.

Lee Foster/Laurance Marr won silver in the Master Men OC1 category.
Faye Lilly came third in the Iron OC1 women, and Mick Liggings placed joined third in the iron ski division.

The winner of the “Funstuff by Lynda” Trophy for the fastest Women OC1 relay Crew went to the combined Port Douglas/Mackay team of Monique Johnson and Karen McClure

Club president Ingrid Juchem said it was a successful event and thanked everyone involved including Port Douglas Yacht Club, the Coast Guard and all the volunteers who helped on the day.

Other Results of the day were:
Iron OC1 Men:
   Justin White 6th
   Cec Casey 8th
   Simon Dobbs 9th