The New Zealand Virtual Surfski Championships has so far exceeded all expectations. With just 11 days remaining in the month-long competition we pose ten still to be answered questions.<\/p>\n
How many more countries will join the party?<\/strong><\/p>\n The range of overseas entries has been eye-catchingly impressive. Besides the Kiwi contingent, paddlers from the USA, Canada, Sweden, Denmark, Australia, Germany and Samoa have all submitted times. Surf ski racers from Hong Kong are also likely to feature before the closure of the event on June 14 \u2013 which would guarantee representation from four continents. Pretty cool, huh?<\/p>\n Austin or Nordin?<\/strong><\/p>\n A pair of world-class overseas paddlers dominate the standings in the open men\u2019s division but the question is which one will prevail? Former US surf ski champion Austin Kieffer took an early lead only for German Nordin Sparmann to dislodge the American with a mark of 51:17 for the 12km distance. Austin, however, unleashed the perfect counter-punch to record a dazzling 50:01 and regain top spot. With a week-and-a-half remaining the question is; will Austin still hold the bragging rights by June 14?<\/p>\n Who will take out the NZ open men\u2019s surf ski title?<\/strong><\/p>\n A little under a minute-and-a-half separate the top five Kiwis in the open men\u2019s division and a genuine case could be made for any of the quintet to be crowned national champion. Currently leading the way is Christchurch-based Ben Keys but look out for Sam Newlands, recent surf ski convert Toby Brooke, classy masters paddler Jimmy Feathery and Perth-based 2019 King and Queen of the Harbour I champion Andrew Mowlem. It\u2019s still all up for grabs.<\/p>\n Can anyone stop Danielle McKenzie?<\/strong><\/p>\n It says a lot about the single minded nature of Danielle McKenzie that following her frustration with her first recorded time of 59:18 time \u2013 a mark which gave her a lead in excess of two minutes \u2013 the Gold Coast-based Kiwi submitted a second time of 57:47. It is very hard now to see how Danielle can be surpassed.<\/p>\n Will a second woman post a sub-one-hour time?<\/strong><\/p>\n Both the number of entries and the quality of performance in the open women\u2019s category has been highly encouraging. Kiwis Carly Tyler and Bailee Stratton as well as Samoa\u2019s Anne Cairns have all been knocking on the door on the sub-one-hour mark and it would be great to see at least a second woman \u2013 alongside Danielle McKenzie \u2013 smash the 60-minute barrier.<\/p>\n Which under-16 girl will be crowned 3km queen?<\/strong><\/p>\n The girls U16 3km event has provided some red-hot competition as just seven seconds separate the three lead protagonists. Aussie Kate Regan (16:10) leads the way from Kiwi duo Jess Cleghorn (16:13) and Sophia Lawson (16:17) but with so little to choose between the trio don\u2019t be surprised for the final order to change.<\/p>\n Can anyone catch Jimmy Feathery?<\/strong><\/p>\n In the men\u2019s masters (age 35-44) division, South Islander Jimmy Feathery holds a lead by more than two minutes but this might not be the end of the story as Jeremy Kuggeleijn and Max Riley are believed to be meticulously planning their race routes for another crack. Watch out for masters fireworks in one of the most competitive categories.<\/p>\n