Records tumble as Jake Jensen is crowned King of the Cut

RACE records were smashed at the Stand Up Surf Shop King of the Cut on the weekend.

The fastest eight male competitors all beat the previous fastest time for the 24km downwind race from the Dawesville Cut to Secret Harbour.

Jake Jensen (Gold Coast) was named the King of the Cut with a time of 1:41:14, smashing the previous record by over seven minutes. New Caledonia’s Titouan Puyo finished second with 1:42:38 and from Sydney’s Northern Beaches James Casey finished third with 1:43:16. The previous race record was 1:48:21 set in 2015 by Matt Nottage.

Jensen said it was amazing to beat some of the world’s best SUP racers.

“It’s amazing to finish first in a competitive field against guys like Travis [Grant], James [Casey] and Boothy [Michael Booth],” he said.

“I’ve done four King of the Cut events and this is my first win – it feels great!” Jensen said.

Adopted West Australian and EuroTour champion Michael Booth finished in fourth place with a time of 1:45:18 and three-time Molokai winner Travis Grant finished in fifth with 1:46:23.

In the female pro class, Angela Jackson (Gold Coast) smashed the race record and her personal best with 2:07:41.

In second place was last year’s winner Karla Gilbert, a seven-time Ironman Champion from Queensland, crossing the line in 2:14:12. Third place went to Olympian Belinda Stowell Brett with a time of 2:21:23 and fourth to Japanese competitor Yuka Sato.

An elated Jackson said she had a ball on her board from start to finish.

“I’m stoked and I had so much fun out there catching bumps the whole way,” she said.

About 40 paddlers enjoyed the social Express Two Storey Living Djeridjinap Run and SUPWA SUPer Clinic on Friday afternoon along on the protected waters of Mandurah Estuary with world champion Travis Grant giving tips on downwind technique.

Two SUP Yoga classes were held Saturday morning followed by a guided SUP Canal Tour along the picturesque waterways of Mandurah.