Category: Winter Series - BSCC

Chelmsford Winter Series marathon (13 Jan 2019)

15/1/2019

Octavia won her 2nd gold medal of the season at the Chelmsford Winter Series marathon, coming 1st in Class 4 (Ladies K1). Stortford's other medal winners of the day were Catherine and Eilidh as the first female crew in Class 3 (u16 K2 & MC2).

There were just 11 paddlers from Stortford at this race. The size of the team was reflected in the club's overall position of 4th, behind Chelmsford CC, Leighton Buzzard CC and Cambridge CC.

8 miles:
Senior K2 - Jacque & Dave Cayford 17th (1:21:51)
Senior Mens K1 - Adam Beaumont 5th (59:42)
Vet Mens K1 - Mike Toomey 5th (1:12:40), Kevin Warbrick 6th (1:14:45)

5 miles:
u16 Boys K1 - Connor Higgins 5th (51:51)
Ladies K1 - Octavia Abbott 1st (48:40)
u16 K2 - Eilidh White & Catherine Robinson 6th (1:02:33)

3 miles:
u14 Boys K1 - Jamie Gaulton 5th (26:43)
u12 - Jack Gaulton 7th (29:43)

With two races still to go, BSCC is standing 3rd in the Winter Series league table. Full race results and individual series positions can be found on the FRA website.

Cheshunt HYMB Winter Series marathon (9 Dec 2018)

10/12/2018

For the second time this Winter Series, the Stortford team numbered only a dozen competitors, but some good individual performances secured a third place for the club.

Euan took Stortford's only gold medal of the day - his second win in u18 boys this series, placing him third overall in the class to date, but a strong contender for the class trophy.

Adam & David continue at the top of the class table in Senior K2, having won bronze at this race, and Dave H is joint first in Vet Men's K1.

A capsize just after the start caused Octavia to retire, but her success at the earlier races means that she is still third overall in Ladies K1 and well ahead of the field for the Vet Ladies trophy, whilst Kirsten (4th overall so far in this class) is leading the SuperVets.

7 miles (4 portages):
Senior K2 - Adam Beaumont & David Gurney 3rd (51:15), Mike Panrucker & Ian Abrams 9th (1:00:15), Jacque & Dave Cayford 17th (1:00:42)
Vet Mens K1 - Dave Hallam 5th (57:30)
u18 Boys K1 - Euan Caton 1st (55:53)

5 miles (4 portages):
u16 Boys K1 - Connor Higgins 6th (44:26)
Ladies K1 - Kerstin Queeney 5th (47:46), Octavia Abbott (DNF)
u16 K2 - Eilidh White & Catherine Robinson 3rd (59:52)

3 miles (2 portages):
u14 Boys K1 - Jamie Gaulton 4th (30:47)
u12 - Jack Gaulton 8th (37:10), Libby Gaulton 10th (38:14)

The club was third in the Dick Grieve league - this is based solely on the performance of novice juniors - all of Stortford's points DG points being won by the Gaulton family!

Full race results on the FRA website, including class standings to date. See photos of the Stortford race in Angela's Flickr album

B. Stortford Winter Series Marathon (4 Nov 2018)

5/11/2018

We had excellent weather for the start of the new Winter Series, hosted at our own club as usual. The 127 competitors included a large field of senior K2s on the long course (19 boats) and a good turn out of u12 K1s on the short course (16 entries).

On the long course, Euan won gold in the u18 Mens K1. Adam B & David G were narrowly beaten into second place in senior K2 by less than a minute, despite an excellent performance. Dave H won silver in the Mens Vet race.

On the middle distance, Octavia took gold in the Ladies K1, and Kerstin was the first SuperVet. On the short course Jamie G won the silver medal in u14 Boys and brother Jack did well in u12s, coming 7th.

7 miles (6 portages):
Senior K2 - Adam Beaumont & David Gurney 2nd (57:22), Tim Beaver & Neil Boast 7th (1:10:02), Ian Abrams & Gordon Bullock BAD 9th (1:10:20), Jacque & Dave Cayford 17th (1:22:20)
Vet Mens K1 - Dave Hallam 2nd (1:05:25), Mike Toomey 7th (1:11:46)
u18 Boys K1 - Euan Caton 1st (1:02:44), Murdo White 6th (1:33:58), James Daly 7th (1:33:59)

5 miles (3 portages):
u16 Boys K1 - Connor Higgins 5th (54:05)
Ladies K1 - Octavia Abbott 1st (53:39), Kerstin Queeney 4th (56:08)
u16 K2 - Eilidh White & Catherine Robinson 3rd (1:12:35)

3 miles (1 portage):
u14 Boys K1 - Jamie Gaulton 2nd (33:02)
GP - Mick Hussey 3rd (42:29)
u12 K1 - Jack Gaulton 7th (38:16), Gemma Beazley 9th (41:41), Edward Kirtland 12th (45:35), Killian O'Dwyer 14th (45:41), Libby Gaulton (retired)

Ten clubs were represented. Stortford came second overall, behind Chelmsford and ahead of Leighton Buzzard. We were also second on Dick Grieve points (based on performance by novice juniors only).

Full race results on the FRA website. See photos of the Stortford race in Angela's Flickr album

Leaside Winter Series marathon (28 Jan 2018)

3/2/2018

David G. put in another stonking performance in Boys u16 K1 to take Stortford's only gold medal of the day.

Octavia won silver in Ladies K1 and was also the fastest Vet, while Kirsten was first SuperVet. Eilidh took bronze in the u12 event.

BSCC were 4th, both overall and in terms of Dick Grieve points (performance of novice juniors).

7 miles:
Senior K2 - Jacque Cayford & Dave Cayford 20th (1:16:35)
Vet Mens K1 - Mike Toomey 7th (1:08:00), Steve Whipp 9th (1:15:33)

5 miles:
u16 Boys K1 - David Gurney 1st (47:43), Murdo White 7th (58:26), James Daly 8th (58:55), Connor Higgins 9th (59:19)
Ladies K1 - Octavia Abbott 2nd (52:41), Lexie White 4th (55:12), Kerstin Queeney 8th (1:00:28), Catherine Robinson 11th (1:18:59)
u16 Girls K1 - Emilia Boylan 5th (1:00:55)

3 miles:
u14 Boys K1 - Jamie Gaulton 8th (43:47)
u12 K1 - Eilidh White 3rd (41:50)

Full race results on the FRA website.

The presentation of the medals for the day was followed by the end-of-season prize giving.

Only four Stortford paddlers had managed to clock up the maximum 6 race entries this year: James D, Octavia, Catherine and Eilidh.

Reduced attendances across the board from both juniors and more experienced team members impacted on the the club's league points, but we narrowly managed to retain our usual 2nd place overall. This was also reflected in the number of Stortford paddlers bringing home series awards this year:

K1 M Vet, 1st - Danny Beazley
K1 F 16+, 2nd overall & 1st Vet - Octavia Abbott
Marathon C2, 2nd - Malcolm Duckworth & Gary Aldam,
3rd - Paul Surrage & Richard Baker
K1 u12, 3rd - Eilidh White

See Angela's Flickr page for a few photos of the Leaside race.

Leighton Buzzard Winter Series marathon (21 Jan 2018)

22/1/2018

We were expecting a day of driving cold rain, so the snow came as somewhat of a surprise. Medals were won by Danny (Gold, M Vet K1), David (Gold, M u16 K1), Octavia (1st F Vet K1), Kerstin (1st F SuperVet K1), Catherine (1st PaddleAbility F K1). BSCC were fourth overall, behind L. Buzzard, Chelmsford, and Barking.

8 miles (2 portages):
Senior K2 - Jacque Cayford & Dave Cayford 12th (1:28:18)
Vet Mens K1 - Danny Beazley 1st (1:05:14)

6 miles (2 portages):
u16 Boys K1 - David Gurney 1st (54:40), Murdo White 4th (1:04:23), James Daly 6th (1:11:25)
Ladies K1 - Octavia Abbott 6th (1:00:50), Lexie White 9th (1:07:21), Kerstin Queeney 12th (1:09:22), Catherine Robinson 15th (1:28:49)

4 miles:
u14 Boys K1 - Jamie Gaulton 5th (59:27)
u12 K1 - Eilidh White 4th (53:41), Jack Gaulton (rtd)

Full race results on the FRA website. See photos of the Chelmsford race in Angela's Flickr album.

Chelmsford Winter Series marathon (14 Jan 2018)

14/1/2018

Stortford came second again at Chelmsford. Medals were won by Danny (Gold), Octavia (1st Vet Lady), Emilia (Silver), Eilidh (Bronze) & Catherine (1st PaddleAbility Lady).

8 miles:
Senior K2 - Jacque Cayford & Dave Cayford 19th (1:20:35)
Vet Mens K1 - Danny Beazley 1st (59:24), Mike Toomey 6th (1:12:11)

5 miles:
u16 Boys K1 - David Gurney 3rd (47:03), Murdo White 7th (52:31), James Daly 8th (52:54), Connor Higgins (rtd)
Ladies K1 - Octavia Abbott 4th (47:36), Melanie Bennett 9th (54:56), Catherine Robinson 15th (1:07:37)
u16 Girls - Emilia Boylan 2nd (54:02)
C2 - Paul Surrage & Richard Baker 3rd (54:07)

3 miles:
u14 Boys K1 - Jamie Gaulton 7th (29:55)
u12 K1 - Eilidh White 3rd (30:30), Jack Gaulton 10th (33:32)

Full race results on the FRA website. See photos of the Chelmsford race in Angela's Flickr album.

Barking Winter Series marathon (3 Dec 2017)

4/12/2017

Only 16 BSCC paddlers made it to the Barking Winter Series race, though this proved enough to secure a second place overall for the club. A good number of those who finished were rewarded with medals: Dave H, Connor, Octavia, Emilia and Eilidh all achieved bronze in their respective classes, Kerstin was 1st lady supervet, Catherine was awarded ladies paddleability, while Danny won a gold.

The weather was not quite as cold as of late, but persistent drizzle added to the typically bleak appearance of the venue of the estury of the River Roding.

At this half-way point through the series, Danny, Octavia and Kerstin are all on track to be taking home a perpetual trophy at the finals, while Eilidh is locked in a battle with a Chelmsford rival for the Girls U12 cup. James, Connor, Murdo and Emilia each have a chance of winning one of the engraved series glasses.

9 miles (6 laps):
Senior K2 - Chris Sze & Ant Wright 7th (1:20:56), Will Jones & Luke Jones (rtd)
Vet Mens K1 - Danny Beazley 1st (1:08:42), Dave Hallam 3rd (1:16:40), Steve Whipp 11th (1:31:09)

6 miles (4 laps):
u16 Boys K1 - Connor Higgins 3rd (1:00:44), James Daly 4th (1:00:54),
Ladies K1 - Octavia Abbott 3rd (57:03), Kerstin Queeney 6th (1:02:22), Catherine Robinson 9th (1:25:33)
u16 Girls - Emilia Boylan 3rd (1:03:43)
C2 - Malcolm Duckworth & Gary Aldam 2nd (1:02:00)

3 miles (2 laps):
u12 K1 - Eilidh White 3rd (37:18)

Full race results on the FRA website. See photos of the Barking race in Angela's Flickr album.

Cheshunt Winter Series marathon (19 Nov 2017)

20/11/2017

On a bitterly cold day, a 26-strong team went over to Herts Young Mariners base for the second race of the Winter Series, and 8 were awarded medals.

Perhaps the two most notable were the pair of bronzes won by Matt P & David G in the senior K2 race. An excellent result against a large field (16 boats) of high-standard entries - especially considering it's the first time the two have raced together.

Danny won gold in Mens Vet K1, Malcolm & Gary took silver in C2, Eilidh won bronze in u12 K1, while in Ladies K1 Octavia won 1st Vet and Catherine 1st Paddle-Ability.

8 miles (6 portages):
Senior K2 - Matt Parkes & David Gurney 3rd (1:06:27), Chris Sze & Ant Wright 12th (1:24:20), Jacque Cayford & Dave Cayford 15th (1:34:32)
Vet Mens K1 - Danny Beazley 1st (1:04:55), Dave Hallam 4th (1:09:43), Mike Toomey 9th (1:17:25), Mitch Barclay 12th (1:23:35)

6 miles (4 portages):
u16 Boys K1 - Murdo White 4th (56:05), Connor Higgins 6th (56:29), James Daly 7th (1:00:45),
Ladies K1 - Octavia Abbott 5th (53:14), Lexie White 7th (59:11), Kerstin Queeney 10th (1:04:19), Siobhan Latham 16th (1:14:52), Catherine Robinson 17th (1:17:26)
u16 Girls - Emilia Boylan 5th (1:04:55)
C2 - Malcolm Duckworth & Gary Aldam 2nd (57:49), Paul Surrage & Richard Baker 3rd (58:51)

3 miles (2 portages):
u14 Boys K1 - Jamie Gaulton 8th (36:58)
u12 K1 - Eilidh White 3rd (30:39), Lewis Williams 6th (35:09)

Full race results on the FRA website. See photos of the Cheshunt race in Angela's Flickr album.

B. Stortford Winter Series marathon (5 Nov 2017)

6/11/2017

There was a decidedly cold breeze for the first race of the 2017-2018 Winter Series. This did not deter 145 paddlers from 12 different clubs from turning out for the race.

Danny and Dave H won gold and bronze respectively in Veteran Mens K1, and Octavia and Kerstin won the Fastest Vet and SuperVet medals in the Ladies class. Eilidh was second in u12s and was also the fastest girl. Malcolm & Gary won medals in C2, but perhaps some sort of irregular Canadian award should have gone to Chris & Neil who completed most of the long course in a makeshift kayak/canoe fashion after Neil's paddle snapped in the early stages of the K2 race.

Although the BSCC team was quite small this year, this was partly because some were involved in the many marshalling and other volunteer activities necessary to run the race. Start/Finish marshals were Ron & Alison T, James Smythe, assisted by Zoe, Kira & Gemma B and Ollie Smythe. Turns were manned by Lynne C, Shane S, Fred, Ian A, Claire Baldwin, Maria W, Alan Pinnock, Jacob Gazey, Steve Whipp, Maria Sze, Ricky & Brian. Andrew G, David G and Will Rowe were on-water safety and sweepers. Seb was bike sweeper on the long course. Southmill portage helpers and marshals were Stewart, Adrian Holman, John Daly & Izzy Gurney & Matt P. The BBQ was run by Phil & Jo, Neil S, Brian, and Mel W. The other refreshments - including selling the cakes donated by members - were undertaken by Charlotte, Jan, Jacq, Kerstin, Jean Sewell, and Amelia & Isabelle S. Angela, Siobhan and Stewart dealt with booking in and results. Buoys were put out and brought back in by Matt P, Ricky, Mike P, Chris & Ant. The car park and other jobs before and after racing were undertaken by Neil B, Malcolm, Dave H, Ricky, Chris, Mike T & Dave C. Advance preparations were made by Judith, Mitch, Jan, Andrew, Danny, and Matt Mills.

Photo credit: Andrew Gurney

Photo credit: Andrew Rush

7 miles (6 portages):
Senior K2 - Will & Luke Jones 9th (1:12:20), Mike Panrucker & Angie Flight 11th (1:15:22), Neil Boast & Chris Sze 13th (1:20:33), Jacque Cayford & Dave Cayford 16th (1:25:26)
Vet Mens K1 - Danny Beazley 1st (58:57), Dave Hallam 3rd (1:02:37), Kevin Warbrick 12th (1:15:16), Mike Toomey 16th (1:17:19), Mitch Barclay 17th (1:18:04)

5 miles (3 portages):
u16 Boys K1 - Murdo White 5th (55:20), James Daly 7th (58:31), Connor Higgins 8th (58:49)
Ladies K1 - Octavia Abbott 4th (51:22), Lexie White 9th (57:20), Kerstin Queeney 12th (59:29), Siobhan Latham 16th (1:12:48), Catherine Robinson 17th & 1st Paddleability (1:15:06)
C2 - Malcolm Duckworth & Gary Aldam 2nd (57:29), Paul Surrage & Richard Baker 3rd (59:17)

3 miles (1 portage):
u14 Boys K1 - Jamie Gaulton 9th (41:14)
u12 K1 - Eilidh White 2nd (36:41), Lewis Williams 8th (48:03), Noah Weaving 9th (50:18), Killian O'Dwyer 10th (50:47)

Full race results on the FRA website. See photos of the Stortford race in Angela's Flickr album and from Maria and Chris Sze via Facebook. There is also a YouTube video by Chris of himself and Neil using the broken paddle!

Leaside Winter Series Marathon (12 Feb 2017)

13/2/2017

For the Bishops Stortford team, the Leaside marathon proved to be very much a day of success for the ladies. Isabelle C, Yazmin and Jess made a clean sweep of the u16 Girls K1, taking 1st, 2nd and 3rd places. In the 16+ Ladies race, Octavia was 1st Vet and Lexie was 1st Junior, while Catherine won 1st PaddleAbility. Emilia took gold in u14 girls K1, and Eilidh was 1st girl in u12 K1.

Amongst the boys, Little Joe again put in another good performance in the Men's Open and was rewarded with silver. There was another well-deserved silver for Chris in Men's Vet. Luke continues to go well in u14 boys and achieved bronze. Silver medals for Paul & Richard completed the day's winnings.

7 miles:
Senior K2 - Euan Caton (partnering Danielle Clifford for BAD) 11th 1:06:01, Jacque Cayford & Dave Cayford 13th (1:17:22)
Mens K1 - Joe Fitzpatrick 2nd (57:30), Wayne Stevens 5th (1:18:27)
Vet Mens K1 - Chris Sze 2nd (1:04:26), Mike Toomey 4th (1:07:40), Steve Whipp 7th (1:11:35)

The full results for the day, and also for the series, can be found on the FRA Winter Series results page.

5 miles:
Ladies K1 - Octavia Abbott 3rd & 1st Vet (54:17), Melanie Bennett 4th (57:00), Lexie White 6th & 1st junior (1:00:28), Catherine Robinson 10th & 1st PaddleAbility (1:20:42)
u16 Girls K1 - Isabelle Crawford 1st (1:04:50), Yazmin Layzell 2nd (1:04:51), Jess Gaynor 3rd (1:13:34)
Marathon C2 - Paul Surrage & Richard Baker 2nd (58:17)

3 miles:
u14 Boys K1 - Luke Sellstrom 3rd (35:38), Connor Higgins 5th (36:45), James Sellstrom 9th (55:53)
u14 Girls K1 - Emilia Boylan 1st (34:30)
u12 K1 - Eilidh White 6th & 1st girl (43:06)

When it came to individual series awards, it was again a resounding victory for the Stortford girls, with all but one of the WS ladies' kayak trophies going to BSCC paddlers: Octavia (Vet), Lexie (u18), Isabelle C (u16), Emilia (u14) and Eilidh (u12). Dave H won the Mens Vet trophy.

Many of the team won series class awards:
K1 M, 3rd - Joe Fitzpatrick
K1 M Vet, 1st - Dave Hallam, 2nd - Chris Sze
K1 M u16, 3rd - Murdo White
K1 F 16+, 2nd - Octavia Abbott, 3rd - Lexie White
K1 F u16, 1st - Isabelle Crawford, 2nd - Yazmin Layzell
K1 F u14, 1st - Emilia Boylan
Marathon C2, 2nd - Malcolm Duckworth & Gary Aldam, 3rd - Paul Surrage & Richard Baker

Stortford finished the series a comfortable 2nd place behind overall winners Chelmsford CC, and also bagged the Dick Grieve Trophy for the club scoring most points from unranked juniors.

Nine of twenty-two Stortford paddlers who went to Leaside had shown true dedication by not missing a race all winter: Dave C, Jacque, Wayne, Luke, James, Connor, Emilia, Lexie and Eilidh.

Some photos of the event are online.