After the disappointment of last year's finals being cancelled, it was worrying to hear that the event at Worcester was in jeopardy because of the wind and rising water levels. Fortunately, the event was able to go ahead and with very little adjustment to the original arrangements. However, the flow was strong making the upstream starts very hard work.
| A total of 501 competitors took part in the main Hasler competition, and another 27 in the Geoff Sanders competition.The challenging conditions, which the organisers described as "lumpy", defeated many of the competitors and there were 44 who retired. The first races of the day were those on the 4 mile course. Both of our doubles boats in Div 7 (Oliver & James B, and Jacque & Dave) got off to an excellent start amongst the 28 boats competing in this class. Jack found the flow of the river challenging but completed the distance without mishap. Robin in Div 9 (23 boats) was the club's top scorer. |  |
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Next up were those on the 8-mile course, comprising 2 laps and including one beach portage. Eddie was up against the biggest field of the day - 44 competitors in Div 4. Joao & Jasper in Div 4 doubles (35 boats) got a great start and were in 7th place at the end of the first lap, moving up to end in 6th. Robert also had a good start in Div 6, and was able to improve on his position of 10th at the end of lap one, to finish 7th out of 23.
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Kerstin partnered a Worcester CC paddler but as a split boat were not able to score, under the special rules that apply to the finals. Zoe & Christine were both taking part in their first race over this distance, having been promoted at the last regional race.
Many of those on the 8 mile course reported slipping over in the mud at the beach portage.
| The club only had one competitor on the 12 mile course: David G was amongst the 30 entrants in Div 3. After an excellent start he was soon in the leading group. There were portages in the second and third laps. After the second portage he broke away from his group and caught up with a group from the Div 2 race ahead, and going on to win with a comfortable lead. Not only did he take the gold medal, but was the 12th fastest of all the singles paddlers at the finals.  |  |
| SINGLES - 12 miles, 2 portages Div 3: David Gurney 1st (1:22:22) 8 miles, 1 portage Div 4: Eddie Kirtland 24th (1:04:03) Div 6: Robert Gough 7th (1:11:00) 4 miles Div 7: Jack Law 32nd (47:42) Div 9: Robin Dromard 12th (44:24) | DOUBLES - 8 miles, 1 portage Div 4: Jasper Kirtland & Joao Spinola 6th (56:30) Div 5: Kerstin Queeney & Tamsin Pedlar [WOR] 16th (1:05:02) Div 6: Zoe Norford & Christine Meula 14th (1:13:36) 4 miles Div 7: Oliver Klumpler & James Breeze 21st (36:17), Dave Cayford & Jacque Cayford 24th (36:53) |
Because of the challenging conditions, the Geoff Sanders course was shortened from its intended 2.5 miles. Four Stortford youngsters took part and completed the course,
 Under 14s (Geoff Sanders) Div A: Benjamin Middleton 10th (12:45), Summer Norford 11th (12:47) Div C: Sophie Middleton 6th (14:21), Romeo Law 7th (17:38) Overall, Bishops Stortford Canoe Club finished 15th out of the 28 clubs participating. Norwich CC were one place ahead and Chelmsford CC were 4th. The overall winners were Elmbridge CC. |  |
