Yet in the men's division the SKILLED Avoca Beach crew from New South Wales' Central Coast have shown extraordinary mental toughness and consistency to finish not worse than second in each of the first three rounds.

They are virtually unbeatable provided they make the final race this Saturday yet are taking nothing for granted.

"We're taking the last round more seriously than anything so far," says second  stroke Dan Mitchell.  "We've been in a taper which we haven't done for this series before.  This year we're cutting our season into two parts so after the next race we'll have two weeks off and start again.  We're well prepared for this."

Points are allocated according to where a boat finishes among the 25 men's crew.  First provided 25 points, last just one point.  With two firsts and a second, the SKILLED crew is on an incredible 74 points from a possible 75, 7 points ahead of the next challenger, e-Go Pacific Palms.

But for the others there is plenty of esteem left to fight for and the honour of finishing in the top 10.

It is a much different scenario with the women, however, with the Manly Aluminum South Curl Curl holding the lead on 36 at the head of a real traffic-jam.

Reach Physiotherapy Jan Juc, from southern Victoria, are on 34, the Surf Club Mooloolaba from Queensland's Sunshine Coast are on 33, Manly-Warringah Credit Union Queenscliff make the second Sydney northern beaches crew in the top four on 31, with SKILLED Avoca Beach not without a chance of giving the club the men's/woman's double, on 29 points. 

For the first time this series the women's crews will tackle the double race format usually reserved for the men.  The new format of three double races in the elimination stages will be a great test of stamina.

The South Curl Curl crew, swept by Chris 'Ribs' Fleming, scraped into the final in round three yet were unlucky not to claim maximum points as a spectacular collision with the Surf Club Mooloolaba boat on the final wave allowed Jan Juc to snatch victory, and climb into second place overall.

The blend of youth and experience within the South Curl Curl crew has worked wonders throughout the series.  The elder stateswoman and well credentialed Lara Raymond provides invaluable knowledge and experience gained from two national title triumphs, while Raymond says she feeds off the youth and energy of her younger crew mates.

"To see their motivation and tenacity motivates me to help them and also drives me along," she said.

The 'South Curlie' girls admit they will be looking over their shoulders at their local foes from Queenscliff.  A disappointing performance in round three has them five points off the lead, with an outside chance to claim the series.

"Queenscliff are a very strong crew and have been our nemesis," said Raymond.  "They keep us honest for our local competition and as much as we're friends and sometimes train together, when we're out on the water it's a different story.

The Reach Physiotherapy Jan Juc women's surfboat crew are the most unusual in the series – and several of them could announce their retirement after the race.

The 2004 world champions – who train in the coldest conditions of all crews, have no competition in between Ocean Thunder races and can't even train as an entire group because one lives on the Gold Coast – are yet still 'alive' after last month's stunning victory in round three.

Queensland based stroke Rachel Taylor rejoined her former crewmates Fioran Bourke, Lara Jeffery and Birte Knaus exclusively for the Ocean Thunder Series, after moving from the area.

Sweep Scott Tanahill says the entire crew's future is undecided.  "At the moment we haven't got a suitable replacement for Rachel to continue the rest of the domestic season, so this could well be all of the girls' last event".

As the 2006 Davidoff Cool Water Ocean Thunder Pro-Surf Boat Series comes to its climax at the 'Thunderdome" at Dee Why Beach this Saturday we look back over the season so far. 

The individual 'crew reviews' look at the performances of each and every men's and woman's crew and previews this week's final.  We also study the prospects of all the crews for 2007.

For all media inquiries and Accreditation for Saturday's final please contact either Michelle Nicholas on 0411 046 202 or Ian Hanson on 0407 385 160.

For further information please contact:

Ian Hanson
Media Director
Davidoff Cool Water Ocean Thunder Pro Surf Boat Series
Hanson Sports Media Pty Ltd
Mob: 0407 385 160