10-medal haul for SA at surfski world champs

South Africa's Kenny Rice won the world surfski crown at the ICF Ocean Racing World Championships in Portugal on Thursday.

It was a stellar day for South Africans, who bagged 10 medals in this Nelo Summer Challenge event.

Rice, who finished runner-up to his older brother and double world champion Sean Rice at the world championships in 2019, fended off compatriot Hank McGregor, and Australia's Mackenzie Hynard in tough mild downwind conditions over the 19.8km course from Viana do Castelo to Ofir beach in Esposende.

"That was solid race and I left it all on the line," an elated Rice said afterwards. "I had a chat with my brother before the start and he said he wished he could have been here, so it is really nice to bring it back home for the Rice family.

"I didn't ever really know it was mine," he added. "There was a tight pack and about 12kms in I thought I would be hunting for a top five.

"As soon as it glassed over I realised that this is what I am good at. I just put my head down and I knew that I had the upper hand when we came back into the river mouth where it is shallow.

"I just kept saying to myself 'Shut the door! Shot the door!' so I am really chuffed to do be able to do that."

McGregor lauded Rice for his performance.

"I tried my best but lost it to a fast finishing Kenny Rice in the last 2kms," McGregor said after his second surfski world champs silver medal.

Meanwhile, South Africa's Uli Hart retained his Under-23 world title, while Saskia Hockly successfully defended her title in the junior women's race and Josh Smith added a fourth gold medal winning the junior men's title.

In the women's race, defending champion Michelle Burn finished third behind Australian Jemma Smith and New Zealander Danielle McKenzie.

"I had a