Home is where the heart is – Mocké

FISH Hoek star Jasper Mocké is eagerly preparing for the Peter Creese Memorial and Cape Point Challenge surfski events in Fish Hoek over the next two weekends as the cream of the world’s surfski gladiators annually descend on the South Peninsula at this time of the year.

The Euro Steel/Epic Kayaks kingpin is eager to make an impact at both events, particularly the Cape Point Challenge, and is buoyed by the forecast of moderate winds and manageable ocean conditions that will favour the seasoned surfski experts, unlike the recent World Series event, the Perth Doctor, that was left without any downwind assistance.

“At this stage the conditions look really fantastic!” Mocké enthused from his base in Fish Hoek. “We have had some tough Cape Point Challenges in recent years so to have one with a light South Easterly will be great!

“The thing with Cape Point is that you have to go into the wind for half of the race, so you want enough wind to give assistance from the point home but not too much for the first half. It’s rare to get such a perfect balance, though.”

Despite having completed 11 consecutive Cape Point Challenge in the race’s 23-year history, Mocké is hunting for a maiden race title having been placed second in his last three outings.

Mocké believes it will take an incredible effort to achieve his goal this year.

“We are in the era of probably the greatest marathon paddler ever, Hank McGregor and so to beat him next weekend will be no mean feat.

“I count myself privileged to have been on the podium several times previously and to repeat that again this year will be cool, but it’s the win I’m after.”

Aussie star Brendan Rice, a familiar face on the South African circuit, will be out to cause an upset and Simon van Gysen, Ken Rice and Stuart MacLaren will head up the South African charge, alongside Mocke and McGregor.

European champion Yannick Laousse (FRA) has been in Fish Hoek, preparing for a month for the event, and will be a force to be reckoned with as well.

“There is no shortage in terms of the depth of the pros; this is going to be one of the most closely contested Cape Point Challenge’s I will be participating in,” said Mocké.

“Perhaps like 2012,” he added, referring to the year that seven paddlers were together in an end-sprint and all finished within 15 seconds of each other.

After grinding his way into fifth place in hot and flat racing conditions at the Perth Doctor recently, Mocké has overcome jet-lag from the arduous journey home and has enjoyed preparing on home waters.

It has been a busy racing schedule for the Cape ace during the past three months but Mocké will have home ground advantage as few know conditions around Cape Point better than he does.

“Yes, racing so much does wear you out a bit, but it also keeps you sharp.

“If you can’t shape up, then ship out!” he added.