Allen wants victory on home water

BEN Allen is dominating the Australian Ocean Racing Series, but there is one race on his calendar he has been eying for some time.

Home track: Ski paddler Ben Allen is keen to return to winning form in his home event, the King of the Coast. Picture: Jason Dougherty

BEN Allen is dominating the Australian Ocean Racing Series, but there is one race on his calendar he has been eying for some time.

Burnside’s Allen will compete in the King of the Coast today as he aims to register his fourth win of the year in just the sixth race of the series.

Allen, 34, won the first three races of the season before finishing second in the fourth race and sixth at the fifth round at Burleigh.

But, it is the Sunshine Coast leg of the race that he wants to win the most.

“It’s going to be good to paddle this time on my home water,” Allen said of the event.

“I spend all my time paddling here but don’t usually get to do big races here.”

About 170 paddlers competed in the inaugural King of the Coast last year.

Organisers are expecting about the same number of entrants again this year.

The 18-kilometre race is scheduled to start at Moffat Beach at 1.30pm today and will conclude at Mooloolaba.

Allen said he was hoping to return to the top of the podium after missing out at Burleigh.

“I’m leading the series but it’s important I race well,” he said.

“The conditions at the moment are looking good and I know the course well, so it will be great to get out there.”

Competitors can register from 9am at Clarke Park, River Esplanade, Mooloolaba.

Depending on conditions, the race start could be moved to Peregian Beach.

Organisers will make a final decision by 11.30am.

Originally published as Allen wants victory on home water