Austinmer retain series title
February 21, 2008
Section: Sport
OCEAN THUNDER SERIES
JOHN MASTERS
AUSTINMER sealed back-to-back Ocean Thunder Series championships with victory in round four at Dee Why Beach on Saturday.
The Austi crew, swept by Jack Patison, went into round four leading the standings with fellow Illawarra crew Bulli (swept by Paul Jones) in fourth place.
Both crews qualified for the elimination races but the Bulli crew were bundled out at the first stage due to the unpredictable surf.
Meanwhile, Austinmer won both their elimination races to qualify for the two-leg semi-finals.
In the semi-final, Austinmer held off challenges from national champions North Cottesloe and Warriewood to win and progress to the final.
The final was another double race and the Austinmer crew were determined to finish on a winning note.
They led from the start and were never headed, winning comfortably from Whale Beach, Warriewood and Jan Juc from Victoria.
Austinmer won nine of their 11 races on the day and finished second in two of the preliminary rounds.
By winning the final round, Austinmer defended their overall eVive Ocean Thunder title. Bulli finished a creditable sixth in their first attempt at this elite surf boat series.
Among the rewards for winning the eVive Ocean Thunder series was a new boat donated by NR Perry Surfboats.