Days after receiving a new canoe as a surprise gift, Team Bradley used it to surprise the rest of the paddling world yesterday.

Team Bradley won the Na Wahine O Ke Kai championship race for the third consecutive year, completing the 41-mile course across the Kaiwi Channel in near-record time.

Team Bradley finished the course from Hale O Lono Harbor, Moloka'i, to Duke Kahanamoku Beach, Waikiki, in 5 hours, 22 minutes, 14 seconds — two seconds short of the course record set in 2004.

"I think we had a perfect day, and that's what it took to win it," said Noelani Auger, who steered the Team Bradley canoe. "I don't know if it can get better than this."

Na Wahine O Ke Kai is considered the world championship of long-distance canoe paddling for women's teams, and a record 83 crews participated yesterday.

Team Bradley entered yesterday's race as the two-time defending champion, but was still considered somewhat of an underdog. The best teams from Australia, Tahiti, New Zealand and California were all registered this year.

Team Australia, which was entered for the first time since winning back-to-back titles in 2003 and '04, was tabbed by most as the pre-race favorite.

"I honestly felt like we were underdogs," Team Bradley coach John Puakea said. "We weren't on top of our game all year ... although today we were. Australia is so good and so strong, it truly is a huge accomplishment to beat them."

Team Australia finished second in 5:24:27.

Team Bradley paddler Cherisse Agorastos said: "This one definitely means the most. The best of the best was here this year, and they don't come every year. So this one is a sweet, sweet win."

Members of the Team Bradley crew were Auger, Agorastos, Lauren Bartlett, Theresa Felgate, Kelly Fey, Margie Kawaiaea, Mahealani Lum-Batlik, Andrea Moller, Dane Ward and Shelly Wilding-Oates.

The crew has five paddlers from Maui, two from O'ahu, one from Kaua'i, one from the Big Island and one from Australia.

Moller was added to the roster this year; Auger returned after a one-year maternity break. The other eight were back from last year's championship crew.

"There's pressure that comes with being part of this team," Moller said. "But I feel honored to be a part of it. It's my first time winning this race and it feels awesome."

The team is named after canoe builder Sonny Bradley, and he shipped them a new fiberglass canoe to Moloka'i last week.

The canoe — named "Ka Mana O Iolana," which translates to the power of the Hawaiian hawk — was blessed moments before yesterday's race.

"It was the first time in the water; we didn't even practice," Auger said. "But she was magic today."

Sure enough, Team Bradley won it with a magical push late in the race.

Team Australia was alone in front for most of the race.

"About an hour into the race, Australia was killing everybody," Puakea said. "But we never panicked, which is a credit to the girls."

The swells and tide across the Kaiwi Channel were favorable, and Team Bradley — with the veteran Auger steering — took advantage.

"It got sloppy in some areas, but we knew that being in the (wave) bumps would be to our advantage" Auger said. "So we just tried to race smart. Even when we were way behind, we knew there would be some help (from the swells)."

Team Bradley finally caught Team Australia off Black Point, and then slowly increased the lead the rest of the way.

"I had to catch my breath; I had tears in my eyes when we passed them," Agorastos said. "At that point, it was like 'OK, don't mess it up.' "

Yesterday was Team Bradley's fourth Na Wahine O Ke Kai title (it also won in 1999 under the name Wailua Kayak & Canoe), but the first time it beat the Australians.

"Just the fact that we were catching up to them was a big boost for our confidence," Auger said. "Up until now, everybody thought Australia was unbeatable, so this one definitely means a little more than the others."

Team Australia captain Lisa Curry-Kenny said: "We haven't had a real race like that ever here, so it was great to be a part of it. But to come that close is tough."

Curry-Kenny was one of four returnees from the 2003-04 championship crews. The other six were Moloka'i rookies.

"We had an almost perfect race and got beat to the finish line," Curry-Kenny said. "So good on (Team Bradley). We can't be upset, but it makes us want to come back and try it again next year."

Team Wahoo's — a mix of five elite paddlers from O'ahu, four from New Zealand and one from the Cook Islands — placed third in 5:28:34.

"We've been together for all of two weeks," said Donna Kahakui, one of the O'ahu paddlers. "So we had no idea we'd do this well. It went fabulous for us."

Ala Wai-based clubs Hui Lanakila (5:29:01) and Waikiki Beachboys (5:38:29) placed fourth and fifth, respectively.

"We did everything in our power to get here, but I think we just got out-paddled," Hui Lanakila's Sarah Van De Vanter said. "We took a really south line, but when we came in, Team Bradley and Australia were too far ahead."

Still, Hui Lanakila was first among crews with all-Hawai'i paddlers.

Rounding out the top 10 were Northcliffe from Australia in sixth, Namolokama O Hanalei from Kaua'i in seventh, Venus Va'a from Tahiti in eighth, Casco Bay in ninth, and Newport Aquatic Center from California in 10th.

DIVISION WINNERS