SALT POND — They finished right beside each other in the Kanaka Ikaika State Championships a few weeks ago, but this time, Kaua‘i’s Luke Evslin and Kelly Foster joined forces to win the 20-29 year old division of the Expedia.com
SALT POND — They finished right beside each other in the Kanaka Ikaika State Championships a few weeks ago, but this time, Kaua‘i’s Luke Evslin and Kelly Foster joined forces to win the 20-29 year old division of the Expedia.com Kaua‘i World Challenge yesterday at Salt Pond Beach.
The roommates at the University of Hawai‘i at Manoa were also the first Kauaians to cross the finish line, which earned them a healthy check of $300 apiece.
“It’s such a tough race. We’re pretty stoked to be first. We’re used to seeing Butch (Keahiolalo) and Mark (Frazier) finishing first. We look up to them. It’s nice to get rewarded in a world-class race like this,” Evslin said.
Foster said the conditions were as good as it could get.
“I had an awesome time. I just surfed the whole time. It feels super good to win,” Foster said.
The duo, who crossed the finish line with a time of 3:48.11 also cashed in on $300 each for finishing first in the 20-29 year old division.
Evslin and Foster, along with Keizo Gates, will be starting up a canoe building business.
Pat Dolan and Kai Bartlett grabbed the top overall time (3:35.27), followed by Maui Kjeldson and Woogie Marsh (3:40.51), Mike Judd and Greg Long (3:42.18), Mike Murray and Trav Grant (3:34.03), and Tapa Worthington and Kea Paiaina (3:46.43).
In the OC-1 men’s 30-39 race, Mike Hangai and Mael Carey took first (3:47.45), with Keahiolalo and Frazier crossing second at 3:52.31.
Steve Cole and Mark Cluney (3:54.06) won the OC-1 men’s 40-49 contest over Danger Clark and Rick Nu‘u (4:03.56).
Ryan Dolan and Jack Roney (3:56.40) triumphed in the junior’s competition and Gavin Miller and William Reichenstein finished in second (4:25.24).
Andrea Moeller and Aaron Napoleon tabbed the top ride in the OC-1 mixed open contest (4:09.59).
In the OC-1 women’s race, Kaua‘i’s Noe Auger and Alana Goo took first with a time of 4:25.46.
Jane McKee and Hipo Princena mastered the OC-1 masters event, clocking in at 4:24.36. Team Keauhou ran away with the OC-1 men’s 50+ contest (4:16.38) and Brian Amantiad/Glen Williams/Bonga Perkins/Charlie Tantog garnered first in the OC-2 men’s race (3:55.55).
Mikala Bradley/Norm Bradley/Jason Igancio/Katie Slocumb grabbed the top spot in the OC-2 mixed competition (4:05.27).
Over 100 teams from Hawai‘i, California, England, South Africa, Hong Kong, Australia, New Zealand and Brazil competed in men’s, women’s and mixed divisions on one-man or two-man outrigger canoes or surfskis for a cash purse of over $20,000.
The race was a 34-mile coastal relay starting at Wailua Beach with changes at Hanamaulu Bay, Kalapaki Bay, Po‘ipu Beach Park with a finish at Salt Pond Beach.
Check out www.kauaiworldchallenge.com for more information.
Next up for most of the contestants is the Moloka‘i solo race on May 21.
• Duane Shimogawa Jr., sports editor, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 257) or kauaisports@kauaipubco.com.
