Sydney’s James Casey and Queensland’s Karla Gilbert enjoyed successful trips to Mandurah when the pair were crowned King and Queen of the Cut at the annual stand up paddle race on Saturday afternoon.
Overcast conditions greeted more than 100 paddlers at Australia’s fastest downwind race, with Casey (pro male division) and Gilbert (pro female) collecting wins in the 24-kilometre marathon.
The Freo Doctor delivered challenging south-westerly winds of up to 18 knots for competitors, as the 27-year-old Casey set a blistering pace to finish with a time of 1:47:24, enough for a victory.
Casey said his focus this year was to win the King of the Cut crown, and was rapt to achieve that goal.
“I’m super stoked – this is one I’ve wanted to win for a while,” he said.
“It was tough at the start with a light wind and then the second half was faster. Winning is a dream come true.”
Casey, who dominated Saturday’s race, placed third last year and attributes his win to better race preparation.
In second place over four minutes behind Casey was New Caledonian 17-year-old Clement Colmas.
“I’m so happy, I wasn’t thinking I’d get a podium especially on a fourteen-foot board,” he said.
“I like Western Australia for the downwind conditions, it’s so good.”
Rounding out the top three was Queenslander Beau O’Brian.
Winner of the female pro class with a time of 2:14:28, Gilbert is no stranger to the podium having won the event in 2016 and finished second last year.
“I felt really strong the whole way, which surprised me a bit because I haven’t done much downwinding this year,” the seven-time Ironman champion said.
“I’m absolutely stoked, it’s a great way to end 2018.”
Trailing Gilbert by almost seven minutes was Kate Baker, a fellow Queenslander, while Perth's Jade Lane finished in third.
Winner of the new Open Prone Paddleboard division was Queenslander Joel Erskine, while Scarborough’s Marcus Tardrew won Australia’s first Foil race with a time of 1:35:09.
The first outrigger to finish the 24-kilometre race was 44-year-old Adam Fahey.
For full results and further information,visit kingofthecut.com or supwa.com.au
