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Tough conditions make the 2016 Molokai Challenge tricky

May 31, 2016

Oscar Chalupsky raced his Nelo 560 Ocean Ski to 15^th place in the Molokai Challenge on the weekend.

The 50km+ open water ocean race was extremely tough this year: no swell, no waves, no clouds – just the relentless Hawaiian sun beating down on the competitors in 28ºC heat. For some it was more like Mission Impossible.

Oscar Chalupsky in Nelo 560 Ocean Ski

Difficult conditions around the China Wall did not help either, resulting in slow times across the board, with many competitors dropping out over the course.

Despite winning 12 races in past years, even Oscar had to dig deep this time, fighting fatigue to finish the Challenge.

“Didn't have a great day but I finished 15th, which at one stage I thought I wouldn't. My ears felt like I couldn't equalize, very weird, never happened to me before. I got wiped out on the reef at the end China Wall but manage to straighten my rudder up and keep going to the finish.” Oscar said on his Facebook Page.

Oscar vowed to be back when the waves return.

For footage of Oscar in action click here.

Check out Oscar's Facebook Page here.

But it wasn’t all bad news. Hank McGregor crossed the line in 3:45:34 to win his third Male Surfski Overall title.

New Zealander Rachel Clarke (below) finished second overall the Female Solo Surfski division in 4:34:49, behind winner Elizabeth Pluimers (4:18:33). Great stuff Rachel!

Race Clarke takes second place in women's solo division at Molokai 2016