There was an early start to the Hasler series, but 123 competitors turned out for the event, including 12 from Stortford.

Eilidh came second in a large field of division 9s to take second place, and Petr did especially well to negotiate the tight turn on the 7km course in his C1 without taking a swim.

Libby put in an especially notable performance with Kerstin in Div 7 doubles to finish fourth, as a result of which Libby has been promoted from Div 9 to 7!

The Grand Union Canal had thawed, and the postponed Leighton Buzzard race was able to go ahead in bright sunshine. The small group of Stortford paddlers who have been coming to the Winter Races through the season were joined on the water for the first time this series by Joe Fitzpatrick.

Joe was paddling in Senior K1, which shared a start with the u18 M K1 class. This led to an exciting finish, which was won by Joe in 1:06:01, closely followed by Ali Kabeer (WOK, 1:06:03, 1st u18), and David Gurney (CLM, 1:06:04, 2nd Sen K1).

Stortford's Chris Sze also came to the race, having returned from his travels, paddling with Gordon Bullock for BAD. The pair put in an excellent performance to finish in second place in the Senior K2 race, just ahead of the BSF boat crewed by Kerstin and Maidstone's Catherine Ayling.  However, bronze position was still enough for Kerstin and Catherine to retain the Ladies K2 series trophy for the second successive season.

The day also brought silver medals for Eddie & Libby in the junior K2 race, Oliver in GP, and Emilie Klumpler (for Girls u12), and bronze medals for Jack (u16 M K1) and Eilidh (Ladies K1). Rupert won the medal for first u12.

BSCC SERIES RESULTS:
Kerstin Queeney & Catherine Ayling - Ladies K2 Trophy
Eddie Kirtland & Libby Gaulton - Junior K2 Trophy
David Gurney (for CLM) - Senior K1 Trophy
Eilidh White - Ladies u18/Sen/Vet 2nd place
Oliver Klumpler - u15 M GP Trophy
Emilie Klumpler - u12 F K1 2nd place

BSCC were second overall in both the series (which was won by Chelmsford CC), and the Bob Porter Trophy (for the greatest participation by u12s). We were third in the Dick Grieve Trophy (based on points scored by unranked juniors).

A special "well done" should also go to Oliver and Emilie who have attended all the races this winter despite Oliver's health issues and Emilie being one of the youngest paddlers in the club. Petr too has not missed a race and deserves a special round of applause for taking up the challenge of racing a high kneeler C1 in winter time.