Open win to teen Keepa

KEEPA AGAIN: Waikanae surf athlete Jack Keepa, pictured here among the starters (second from left) in the board race at the Ōpōtiki carnival two weeks ago, was again the standout male competitor from the Gisborne clubs at the Whangamata Classic held in the Bay of Plenty at the weekend. Picture by Keepa Digital

An open ironman victory to Jack Keepa from Waikanae and the same for Midway's Sophie Petro in the under-17 girls' iron were the outstanding Gisborne results at the Whangamata Classic surf lifesaving carnival on Saturday.

Kaiaponi Farms Waikanae head coach Cory Hutchings said Keepa was their club's “standout” performer.

“Jack raced really well to win the coveted open ironman as an under-19 athlete,” he said.

“He led for the greater part of the race and finished strong to take the win against a very talented field of athletes.”

Keepa was also second in the u19 surf race.

“Nathan Proctor swam a strong surf race to finish a close fourth, and teenage beach sprinter Oska Smith, racing up in the open division, came second in the sprints and third in the beach flags on Saturday.

“The surf was very big and challenging and it was pleasing to see our athletes perform so well in those conditions at this early stage of the season,” Hutchings said.

“There was some bad luck for some of them, but that's typical with big surf.”

Hutchings said the Invitational team event on Sunday was a fantastic spectacle.

“Our athletes all raced really well for their teams.

“It was Round 1 of the event. They're all now excited for Round 2, which is to be held after the Eastern Regional Championships in January.”

Dawson Building Midway head coach Jack Gavin said Saturday was an outstanding day of racing for his squad.

“As expected, they stepped up in the challenging conditions and put together some great results,” he said.

Midway's u15 girls led the way by dominating their age group.

“We had two medallists in nearly every event, and walked away with seven medals.

“Ella Sutton won a medal in all four of her events. That was a highlight for us,” Gavin said.

“Sophie Petro continued her great form by winning the u17 ironwoman and the board. She was also third in the surf race.”

The Midway u17 boys also had a strong all-round day.

“Yahni Brown was second in the board and fourth in the ironman. And Jack Lepper placed in the top five in both of his events.

“Angus Blair showed guts in a sprint finish to take second place in the surf race against a strong open field.

“Overall, I couldn't be happier with the way the squad went.”

Midway's results —

Ella Sutton: 1st in u15 diamond, 2nd in board and ski, third in surf race.

Emily Petro: 2nd in u15 board, 3rd in diamond.

Jacqueline Kennedy: 1st in u15 ski.

Sophie Petro: 1st in u17 ironwoman and board, 3rd in surf race.

Yahni Brown: 2nd in u17 board.

Angus Blair: 2nd in u19 and open surf races.