For most athletes, preparing for the world championship means just training, endurance and competition. But for Australian standup paddleboarder Charlie Verco, the weeks leading up to one of the biggest races of his career were anything but usual.

Verco faced a two-metre hammerhead while crossing the “Channel of Bones” to claim his fourth victory and set a new world record.

Charlie Verco is in the lead to win the race across the “Channel of Bones”.