JACOBS RUBS SALT INTO DOCTOR'S WOUNDS

January 21, 2012: Freshwater's Tim Jacobs today became the first man to win back-to-back Doctor ocean ski events in hot, flat, unforgiving conditions in Perth. And he did it with a dose of salt tablets and some lessons learnt along the way from paddling legend and one of his main opponents, five-time Olympian Clint Robinson.

The 36-year-old father of three (soon to be four) admitted the near millpond conditions tested every muscle in his body through the gruelling 27.5km paddle from Rottnest Island to Sorrento Beach.

In the end, Jacobs, who won the race with a sprint finish to the line last year, was too good for a classy international field.

He was a comfortable winner, leaving South African brothers Jasper and Dawid Mocke to battle it out for second and third.

Olympian Robinson, who pushed for the lead through most of the race, battled cramping in his arms, to finish seventh.

Jacobs, who said he loaded up on salt tablets to help maintain his fluid, said he actually took a leaf out of Robinson's book to seal the victory.

"The pace through the first four kilometres was probably too fast and I knew we couldn't keep it up," said Jacobs.

"It was important to try and paddle as relaxed as I could so I settled into a nice rhythm behind Clint.

"I could see how relaxed and fluent he was, looking around and aware of where he was.

"So I decided to do the same and to make  the most out of every little runner that came along.

"I just kept chasing and concentrating on my rhythm and with in a couple of kilometres I had pulled away.

"I wanted to make sure there was no sprint finish thus year."

Robinson paid tribute to Jacobs and said when the time came to push it in the run home his arms cramped up.

"It was pretty uncomfortable and when the cramping came it was all over," said Robinson .

"But up until that point Tim and I and the Mocke boys were having great paddle.

"Tim is so experienced at these paddles he gave me a few tips as well.

"Next time I will take some salt tablets to help maintain my fluids."

The Gold Coast's Michael Booth surprised even himself to finish fourth ahead of fellow Gold Coasters Bruce Taylor and Jeremy Cotter in fifth and sixth.

Scarborough's 36-year-old Ruth Highman showed her persistence to win her first doctor in seven starts and maintain her reputation as the finest ocean ski paddler in the country.

Highman won comfortably from Claire Duncan and Kylie Broad.

The Stand Up Paddle category went to Hawaian teen machine Connor Baxter.

Doctor Ocean Ski Race (Rottnest Island to Sorrento, WA):

MENS PLACINGS
T Jacobs
J Mocke (RSA)
D Mocke (RSA)
M Booth
B Taylor
J Cotter
C Robinson
B Sarson
M Kenny
W. Bird ( Australian unless stated)

WOMENS PLACINGS
R Highman
C Duncan
K Broad
T Gilbert
C Hosegood
L Spain
B Hooper
A WIlliams
K Davenport
J Jenkinson