Seventeen BSCC paddlers made it to the earlier-than-usual Leighton Buzzard Winter Series race. A bright but chilly day made for a more pleasant paddling experience than the weather forecasts had predicted! On the 8-mile course, the best results for the club came from Kerstin and her K2 partner Catherine Ayling (Ealing CC) who took gold in the K2 Women’s race, and from Karen who paddled this distance for the first time to win the gold medal in the Vet Women’s race. Jack continued his silver streak with a fantastic performance in u18 Men. Kerry & Chris made for a successful pairing in the K2 16+ mixed doubles race, coming in 4th place, which earned them the First SuperVets medal – Jacque & Dave also battled through this race, finishing with a smile to win First UltraVets. |
K2 16+ Men - Mark Adams & Steve Tingay [LBZ] 5th (1:18:17)
K2 16+ Mixed - Chris Sze & Kerry Tubby 4th (1:21:22), Jacqueline Cayford & Dave Cayford 8th (1:28:48)
K2 16+ Women - Kerstin Queeney & Catherine Ayling [EAL] 1st (1:18:17)
K1 Sen Men - Joao Spinola 7th (1:19:11)
K1 Sen Women - Megan Kenny [EXE] 2nd (1:22:20)
K1 Vet Men - Jaroslav Klumpler 8th (1:27:18)
K1 Vet Women - Karen Bradley 1st (1:35:05)
K1 u18 Men - Jack Gaulton 2nd (1:28:02)
6 miles (2 portages): K1 SuperVet Men - Ben Tubby 4th (1:01:35) K2 u16 - Oliver Klumpler & Finlay Sandall 2nd (1:31:41) K1 u16 Boys - Eddie Kirtland 2nd (57:53) Libby took gold in the u14 Girls again, despite a run in with a narrowboat which resulted in her taking an unscheduled swim. She bravely got back in and paddled the second half of the race with great determination. | On the 6-mile course it was Eddie who shone, winning silver in the u16 Boys. Finlay and Oliver struggled to a very hard-earned silver in the u16 K2s race, at one point having to take evasive action when threatened by a swan! Ben competed in the Supervet Men’s race again, coming 4th despite no less than three swims in the chilly water. |
Rupert won the bronze in the u12s Boys race after a sprint finish with Conor Bates of Leighton Buzzard CC – Rupert also brought home significant Dick Grieve points, as the only unranked junior competing for the club. 4 miles: K1 u14 Girls - Libby Gaulton 1st (48:03) K1 u12 Boys - Rupert Kirtland 3rd (52:59) Chelmsford CC were the winning club at this event, with Leighton Buzzard CC second, and Stortford third. Stortford now stand second in the series overall, and joint first with Leighton Buzzard for the Dick Grieve trophy. |