The high temperatures did not stop everyone from giving their best. A total of 12 medals were achieved in the divisional races: one bronze (Malcolm), four silvers (Ricky, Eugene, James S. & Euan) and a whopping seven golds (Kerstin & Jenny, Adam & David, Matt, and Neil & Connor).

Although it was evident, even before this race, that the club's earlier successes in the season (especially the win at Chelmsford Hasler and the second place at Norwich) had secured our place in the Hasler finals, nobody had dared to dream that we would finish at the top of the Eastern Region league - albeit jointly with last year's national champions Chelmsford.

See

• the full results
  
• regional league table
  
• some race footage on You-Tube from Neil's head-cam: start /  overtaking at portage  / another portage / finish
  
• photos by Angela on Flickr
  

Stortford dominated the top of the division 7 singles race, taking 4 of the top 6 places. Murdo brought the team another first place with Eugene 3rd and James D and Malcolm 5th and 6th respectively.

Despite some excellent individual results, the final totals left Stortford only 5th overall, cancelling out much of the advantage from the win in the previous race. However, we are still third overall so there is still every possibility of a good season ahead.

See

• full race results
• regional league table 
• photos by Angela on Flickr

See

• full race results
• regional league table (updated)
  
• photos by Angela on Flickr

Especially well done to Emilia, Neil, Jess and Kaitie, who have all been promoted.

​There were some spectacular results from our team at Norwich. Emilia won Div 8 on her first outing in that class, as did new member Neil in Div 9. Neil only took up the sport 9 months ago at the age of 54! 

​But it was the doubles crews who made this a turn-around moment in the series for Stortford. Octavia won Div 5 doubles with Nottingham CC's Tim Beaver, Little Joe and Matt took an impressive second place in a tightly-fought contest in Div 2 doubles, and there were medals in Div 4 doubles for Chris & Ricky (silver) and for David G & Isabelle (bronze), as well as bronzes for Jacque & Dave in Div 8 doubles.

See

• the full results from Norwich
• Eastern Region League Table
• more great photos from Chris Worrall's Flickr album

DOUBLES -
9.8km, 3 portages
Div 1: James Smythe [& Katherine Wilson RDG] 1st (1:41:46)
13.2km, 2 portages
Div 5: Ant Wright & Octavia Abbott 8th (1:12:54)
6.6 miles
Div 7: Yazmin Lyzell & Isabelle Crawford 5th (42:16)
Div 8: Malcolm Duckworth & Gray Aldam 2nd (44:02), Jacque Cayford & Dave Cayford 3rd (46:57) ​
Div 9: Kaitie Owen & Jessica Gaynor 1st (45:24)

Well done to the six Stortford paddlers who were promoted at the Cambridge Hasler - Mel and Malcolm were both put up from Division 6 to 7, while Connor not only took silver in Div 9 but a double promotion as well. In doubles Ricky joins Alasdair in Div 4, and Yazmin & Isabelle C are now in Div 7.

Joe F was our fastest paddler, with a cracking time in the Div 1 race. Matt  took gold in Div 2. Yazmin & Isabelle C won silver in Div 8 doubles.

The final Cambridge Hasler results of the race can be seen on the marathon website.

Overall the Stortford team came fifth at this event. The league table for the Eastern Region can be seen on the Results page.

The stand-out achievement of the day came from Euan Caton who achieve such a good time in the Division 9 K1 that he received a triple promotion to Division 6! Has that ever happened to a Stortford paddler before?

BSCC came 5th place this time - disappointing as we know we can do better.

See

• Final results on the Marathon website
  
• Photos in Angela's Flickr album
• Video from Chris Sze

The sheer numbers made the river extremely choppy, and combined with the flow and the light wind, resulted in a high number of swimmers.

A special well-done goes to Yazmin who completed the Div 8 race with dogged determination despite having twice fallen in at the start.

Chris's spectacular capsize on the finish line will be a talking point for many years to come, and can be enjoyed on video by anyone who missed it!

Appreciation should also go to Anne & Nathan and to Siobhan for stopping to help rescue other paddlers in difficulties.

The scoring for the Hasler final is still done under the old system where half the club's points have to come from the doubles races. Much of the credit for the club's success therefore goes to our three high-scoring doubles boats: Danny & James, Kaitie & Emilia and Euan & Connor.

Danny and James won the Bill Sparkes trophy (pictured with Dave & Jacque) for the highest-placed Veteran crew.

Stortford's excellent results, coupled with a 3rd place overall for Norwich CC and overall win for Chelmsford CC, saw the regional trophy awarded to the Eastern Region.