Chalupsky, Gardiner go head-to-head for 10th title

By Dayton Morinaga
Advertiser Staff Writer

It might take a perfect race to achieve a perfect 10 for either Oscar Chalupsky or Dean Gardiner tomorrow.

Two-time defending champion Dean Gardiner of Australia goes after his 10th title in the surfski division. Advertiser library photo

The race will feature solo paddlers competing on surfskis and one-person canoes (there will also be a division for two-person canoes).

Chalupsky and Gardiner share a record with nine victories each in the men's surfski division. For the first time in three years, they are both entered in the field.

"I saw that Dean won his ninth one last year, so I figured I should give myself a chance to win 10 along with him," said Chalupsky, 40, from South Africa.

Gardiner, who is 38 and from Australia, said: "Just to win this race would be special because all the top guys in the world are here this year. (Winning) a 10th one would just make it a bonus."

Chalupsky won seven consecutive titles from 1983-89 before sitting out the next five years because of restrictions placed on athletes from South Africa during that time.

"Of course I would have liked to see if I could have continued that streak," he said. "But I can't do anything to change that now."

He has since returned three times, winning in 1995 and 2000, and placing second to Gardiner in 1999.

"It costs between $5,000 and $6,000 to come here and race, so we can't come every year," Chalupsky said. "But when we do come here, we're looking to win."

Among the top contenders, Chalupsky is the oldest. He is hoping to use that to his advantage.

"My first one was exactly 20 years ago," he said. "I may not be the paddler I was then, but what I lack in youth, I make up in experience."

Gardiner is equally experienced. His first championship came in 1992. He is the two-time defending champ and holds the course record (3 hours, 21 minutes, 26 seconds, set in 1997).

"You always go in with questions and doubts," he said. "The Moloka'i race is so unpredictable, that's why it's such a big thing to win it."

Chalupsky and Gardiner are both quick to admit that there are several other surfski paddlers who could spoil their race for 10.

Kenny, who placed third last year, is going for his sixth championship.

Australian Clint Robinson, a former Olympic gold medalist, is returning to Moloka'i for the first time since placing second in 1994.

Herman Chalupsky, Oscar's younger brother, is returning to Moloka'i for the first time since placing second in 1997. In 1995, he and Oscar crossed the finish line together for the only first-place tie in the event's 27-year history.

Top Hawai'i contenders include state champion Sean Monahan, Steve Kelly and Mike Beyer.

One-person canoes

The canoe division has its own share of pre-race drama with the return of Karel Tresnak Jr.

Tresnak won the men's canoe division in 1999, 2000 and 2001, but was at college in Colorado last year.

In his absence, Kai Bartlett set a course record of 3:42:37.

"I don't want to look at it as I have to go out and defend anything," Bartlett said. "I got lucky last year and came away with a win that nobody can take away. I just want to go out and have fun and try to have a good race again."

Tresnak has won eight of the nine solo races he has entered on O'ahu this year.

"There's been some surf this year, so that's helped me," he said. "But the (Kaiwi) Channel is a completely different game. Anything can happen out there."

Other contenders include Mike Judd, Aaron Napoleon and Maui Kjeldsen.

Lauren Spalding of Maui will defend her title in the women's canoe division. She dominated last year's race, setting a course record of 4:43:56.