Northland stand up paddleboarder Marcus Hansen is standing at the top of the world rankings after a superb performance in Tahiti that saw him beat the best in the sport.
Hansen took line honours in the 24km race in the Air France Paddle Festival over the weekend after a hard fought battle, pulling out an outstanding last 20 minutes to catch and out-sprint Australia's Michael Booth.
The win delighted local paddlers in Whangarei who are looking forward to picking up some racing tips when he returns to speak at a coaching clinic on home turf this Friday.
It is the first event on the 2018 Paddle League World Tour Schedule and attracted a top-class international field.
The forecast predicted challenging weather at the beginning of the week but gradually changed until a day before the race when officials were talking about ideal flat conditions.
The scorching heat caused some of the big names to abandon the race. But Whangarei's Hansen is made of sturdy stuff and fronted up.
The 25-year-old paddled inside the front-running pack consisting of the Tahitian locals and his fellow NSP teamrider Titouan Puyo, from New Caledonia.
Booth was leading most of the race but Hansen broke free from his group towards the end, caught up with the Australian and eventually gave it his all with a few hundred metres remaining to take the win.
With the Air France Paddle Festival officially kicking off the 2018 tour, and the Carolina Cup being the next event in the US, Hansen is now officially leading the rankings.
After the win Hansen posted on his Facebook page: "So stoked to get a great result after lots of up and downs over the last couple of years. I've made a few changes recently and this gives me some good confidence for the rest of the year. It's amazing how much there is to learn in this sport.
"Now how do you perform like this consistently time and time again? Persistence and determination will hopefully help me work it out."
Hansen spent little time celebrating the win in the beautiful island location before he was back on the plane to New Zealand yesterday.Karl Roberts, organiser of the weekly Tuesday night Bridge to Basin race, said Hansen was a regular competitor in the race when he was at home and not racing in Auckland or around the world.
"He's one of those good, good Kiwi blokes. Real relaxed but he's obviously got that extra bit to make him a champ," Roberts said.
"It's pretty special knowing he's one of the best and he comes from Whangarei. He's got a big career in the sport."
Roberts said to catch the paddler in front then take the lead showed how strong Hansen was.
Hansen will be doing a coaching clinic, "Ace the 4km race", at Watermans World Cafe, Riverside Dr, Whangarei, at 5.30pm on Friday. The $20 cost for the session will go to Hansen to help him on the European tour.
ELITE MEN (24km)
1st: Marcus Hansen (2:16:45) — New Zealand
2nd: Michael Booth (2:17:20) — Australia
3rd: Steeve Teihotaata (2:18:17) — Tahiti
4th: Titouan Puyo (2:19:00) — New Caledonia
5th: Manatea Bopp du Pont (2:20:06) — Tahiti