It was meant to be the Narrabeen Downwinder, but in the end conditions conspired against us and we came up with a fun circuit course. We did 2 circuits from Mona Vale Basin to Newport and back.The Basin itself was kinda scary at times with some solid 6 footers (maybe not Hawaiin 6ft but still big) coming through. The beach start sorted the field out but, as they say, cream rises to the top and it was Kai Lenny and Stu Murray (again) who led the pack out of the Basin.

Some of the usual super fast starters (including Big Ben Brown, Sammy Parker and Andy Davies) got caught up in the pack and waves to drop 50 or so metres off the lead by the time they got to the back break.

Pretty soon the form paddler, and last race winner, Steve Morrison took over the lead from Kai. Sitting just behind them I could see Steve was flying and i couldn't help but notice a couple of sideway glances from Kai as he realised it might be a bit more than a cruise to victory. Unfortunately for Steve, a wrong bouy turn cost him the lead. It seemd to upset his dominant frame of mind and a couple of falls later he was a 100m off the lead.

Kai basically sealed his win with flawless transition work as he navigated his way through the waves, put in a blistering BOP style transition and then flew back out through the Basin. He put 100m on me going in and out of the basin - very pretty to watch...hope someone has some photos...

Meanwhile, only just behind the front guys the girls were having a battle royale. Michelle, Nellie and Ali battled the whole way around the 2 laps. Leaving the basin for the the second time, Michelle was hammered by a solid bommie wave. To her credit she chased Nellie down to record a hard fought but narrow victory.

Speaking to everyone after the race, there were lots of battles that were often decided by decisions made in the Basin - to go for it or not...

Despite the dissappointment of not having screaming downwind, I heard people saying they were catching little bumps both ways and they enjoyed the variety and excitement of the Basin - sounds like it would be a great BOP venue

Thanks to everyone who assisted me to manage this race. As we kind of went it alone, i had to lean on anyone not racing to help out with the race admin. Thanks in particular to Rod and Aiden for the help with recording placings and times.

As the results will not be up on the website for a couple of days here they are:

1 70.54 Kai Lenny
2 71.52 Dave Kissane
3 73.06 Steve Morrison
4 73.33 Sam Parker
5 76.37 Andy Davies
6 78.52 Ben Brown
7 80.00 Steve Floyd Over 40s winner
8 81.16 Stewart Murray
9 82.33 Brian Logie
10 82.50 Michelle English 1st Girls
11 83.08 Luke Rack
12 83.19 Neelie Brown 2nd Girls
13 83.35 John Engel
14 85.25 Alison Fullagor 3rd Girls
15 87.13 Ben Chin
16 88.54 Sebastion Hartel
17 89.00 Mal Sawer
18 90.20 Baby Cakes (maybe Evan?)
19 91.40 Alex Fraser
20 92.25 Jeremy Corn
21 92.57 Peter Shepherd Over 50s winner
22 94.26 Angela Sawer
23 94.48 Duncan Robbo
24 96.01 Vanessa Smith
25 96.12 Mark Mitchell
26 96.12 Kevin Claret

Will try to get some photos up soon.

I know Rod also has some so can you put those up Rod...thanks again.