Fifteen BSCC paddlers braved the elements for a particularly grim Winter Series race in Cambridge. The cold and wet weather added a certain frisson to the already muddy portages, on which many of the races were won or lost!
The club's best results on the 7-mile course came from Jack, who won silver with a spirited performance in the Under-18 Boy’s race. Daniel also put in a fantastic performance, coming 5th in the same race, his first time competing at this distance, and this in an unfamiliar boat, with a borrowed paddle.
Ben and Kerry took on the K2 16+ mixed doubles, but an unfortunate capsize put them in 5th place.
Other paddlers competing at this distance were Karen and Christine who were second in the K2 16+ Women’s race – although they led for much of the race, an especially difficult portage put them just behind the eventual winners.
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Eilidh was third in a challenging Under-18s Girl’s race. Jaroslav enjoyed his first Winter Series race this season, wading through the mud at the portages and coming 7th in the Vet men’s race.
7 miles (4 portages):
K2 16+ Mixed - Ben & Kerry Tubby 5th (1:18:32)
K2 16+ Ladies - Karen Bradley & Christine Meula 2nd (1:30:17)
K1 Vet Men - Jaroslav Klumpler 7th (1:23:59)
K1 u18 Men - Jack Gaulton 2nd (1:23:40), Daniel Baines 5th (1:35:34)
K1 u18 Ladies - Eilidh White 3rd (1:30:05)
K2 16+ Mixed - Ben & Kerry Tubby 5th (1:18:32)
K2 16+ Ladies - Karen Bradley & Christine Meula 2nd (1:30:17)
K1 Vet Men - Jaroslav Klumpler 7th (1:23:59)
K1 u18 Men - Jack Gaulton 2nd (1:23:40), Daniel Baines 5th (1:35:34)
K1 u18 Ladies - Eilidh White 3rd (1:30:05)
On the 5-mile course it was Eddie who shone, winning silver in the Under-16 Boys, whilst Finlay and Oliver struggled to a very hard-earned silver in the Under-16 K2s race.
 |  5 miles (4 portages): K2 u16 - Oliver Klumpler & Finlay Sandall 2nd (1:23:36) K1 u16 Boys - Eddie Kirtland 2nd (54:53) |
| Rupert was the standout performer on the short course, taking gold in the Under 12s boys race with a very well executed portage – he and Daniel also brought home significant points in the Dick Grieve category, as the only two unranked juniors competing for the club. 3 miles (2 portages): K1 u14 Boys - Jasper Kirtland 4th (31:17) K1 u14 Girls - Libby Gaulton 1st (31:18) C1 novice - Petr Luksan 2nd (36:02) K1 u12 Boys - Rupert Kirtland 1st (34:17) |  |
 | Libby and Jasper worked brilliantly together, taking gold in the U14 girls and 4th in the U14 boys respectively. Petr was one of the very few high kneeler C1s on the course, taking 2nd place in the C1 Novice class. As usual, Chelmsford were the overall winners of the event, with Cambridge second, and Stortford third. |
