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.
8 miles (2 portages): Senior K2 - Kerstin Queeney & Catherine Ayling 3rd (1:16:10) Open K1 - Joe Fitzpatrick 1st (1:06:01) 6 miles (2 portages): u16 M - Jack Gaulton 3rd (1:07:04) Ladies K1 - Eilidh White 3rd (1:10:27) u16 K2 - Eddie Kirtland & Libby Gaulton 2nd (1:03:57) 4 miles: u14 Girls K1 & Novice C1 - Petr Luksan 4th (1:09:48) GP - Oliver Klumpler 2nd (1:19:29) u12 K1 - Rupert Kirtland 5th (1:03:53), Emilie Klumpler 8th (1:16:35) Full race & series results are on the FRA website. See Angela's Google album for some photos of the Leighton Buzzard race & awards. |
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.