After the interruption of Covid it was good to finally be able to hold the Hasler at the club again - the 5th time it has been held on the Stort. The total number of 168 competitors was not too far below pre-Covid levels, and larger than most races in our circuit this season, which is extremely encouraging. There was a particularly good turnout of 20 Geoff Sanders (u14s) entries.
Many thanks are due to all the members and their families who gave their time to make this event happen - as starters, marshals, safety boats, car park marshals, or serving the refreshments; also not forgetting the bakers who donated delicious cakes and those who cleaned up both before and afterwards. The intense heat made the day an especially demanding one for everyone involved, perhaps especially those who were doubling up by acting both as volunteers and competitors.
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The racing was conducted in two halves. In the morning, the Div 7/8/9s raced down to Sawbridgeworth and back (11.5km and 6 locks), while the Geoff Sanders classses went in the opposite direction to the town centre and back (2.5km). In the afternoon the Div 1/2/3s went down to Sawbridgeworth but with an extra loop to make a course of 19km and 8 portages. The were followed by the Div/7/8/9s who turned at Spellbrook to create a course of 6.5km with 2 portages.
There was a welcome return to the club for Tony Brett who, despite an absence from the sport of ten years partnered Ella to victory in Div 6 doubles, beating not only the other Div 6 boat but also all the boats in Div 5. BSCC continued to dominate the Division 6 races, with Ben K and Tom H taking gold and silver in the singles class.
 | Finlay Sandall was the club's star paddler in the Geoff Sanders races, winning gold in class B, and promoted to class A. Stortford Mayor Dave Anderson kindly attended the event, and the Geoff Sanders prizegiving was brought forwards so that he could make the presentations before he had to leave. In the afternoon there were gold and silver medals in Div 7 singles for Tom B and Ben T respectively. In doubles, Jacque & Dave took silver in Div 8 and Libby & Kayleigh took bronze in Div 9. |
Ben K, Tom H, Tony and Ella have all been promoted to Div 5, while Tom B and Ben T will take their places in Div 6.
| DOUBLES - 11.5km, 6 portages Div 5: Kerstin Queeney & Catherine Ayling [MAI] 4th (1:09:36) Div 6: Ella Beatty & Tony Brett 1st (1:06:36) 6.5km, 2 portages Div 8: David Cayford & Jacqueline Cayford 2nd (37:27) Div 9: Kayleigh Gaulton & Libby Gaulton 3rd (39:17) SINGLES - 11.5km, 6 portages Div 4: Eddie Kirtland 11th (1:18:01), Mark Adams (rtd) Div 6: Ben Kelly 1st (1:12:22), Tom Holloway 2nd (1:13:04) 6.5km, 2 portages Div 7: Tom Barton 1st (34:30), Ben Tubby 2nd (35:03), Jaroslav Klumpler 4th (36:39), Jack Gaulton (rtd) Div 9: Arthur Catmur 4th (41:10), John Catmur 5th (42:17), Eilidh White 8th (43:25), Karen Bradley 10th (44:49), Ewan Gowing 11th (45:37), Christine Meula 13th (46:05), Daniel Baines 14th (46:21), Tamzin Catmur 16th (57:21) |  |
Under 14s (Geoff Sanders)
2.5km
Div A: Zuzanna Madeja 4th (18:32), Ananya Bhusari 5th (21:42)
Div B: Finlay Sandall 1st (17:43), Jasper Kirtland 4th (19:41), Rupert Kirtland =7th (21:23), Oliver Klumpler =7th (21:23)
Div C: Emilie Klumpler 4th (25:42)
2.5km
Div A: Zuzanna Madeja 4th (18:32), Ananya Bhusari 5th (21:42)
Div B: Finlay Sandall 1st (17:43), Jasper Kirtland 4th (19:41), Rupert Kirtland =7th (21:23), Oliver Klumpler =7th (21:23)
Div C: Emilie Klumpler 4th (25:42)
BSCC achieved 4th position at this race with a total score of 587 points - just one point behind Norwich CC. Leighton Buzzard CC were 2nd (594 points), narrowly beaten by Chelmsford CC (595). This was the last regional Hasler in the Eastern Region for the current season.
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As Bishops Stortford have ended the season in 4th position in the Eastern Region, we should have secured our place at the prestigious National Hasler Final to be held at Runnymede on the Thames (hosted by Wey CC) on 25 September. Those who wish to compete in Hasler divisions at the finals must have taken part in three Hasler races during the season (which started at Chelmsford last year), whether in our region or elsewhere.
