Final Twilight of the Summer Race 13
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- Published on Tuesday, 27 March 2012 10:44
- Written by Super User
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What a great night to wrap up this Summers twilight series. Balmy, with a slight sea breeze and great sunset over the mountain.
In Div 2 a well rested John Bamford stroked out to an early lead on the first lap. Despite a concerted chase by Drew and a group headed by Simon Fielding he held his stroke and his nerve to record a great victory with Drew 2nd and Matt Watton 3rd.
A fortnight ago I was lucky enough to witness one of the best Div 1 races I've seen, well now i'm torn as this weeks was another beauty. Disco Sargison managed to slip out of parenting for the night and bought his "A" game as did the new look Ace Petrie who turned up in a nice white number perhaps looking to topple Disco as the most fashionable paddler. Off the line Todd took it out hard but with Seb Spinks sitting next to him looking remarkably comfortable and the Old Bull in Ace sitting on the wash with Bucks you could tell it was going to be a battle.
Despite a number of accelerations with first Todd then Seb trying to stretch the elastic the front stayed relatively intact with Bucks yo yoing on and off and Trav and Scott battling each other off the back. In the finish Seb took an impressive win in a fast time with Todd and Ace hot on his heels.
Many thanks to everyone that turned up and supported the racing this season but a special thanks to the chief timer Rexy and his beautiful assistant and BBQ cooker Anne for all their help. Also thanks to everyone that put their hand up for safety boat duty or helped in other ways.
See you at the Winter Series
Penninsula Marathon Postponed!!!
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- Published on Wednesday, 21 March 2012 20:46
- Written by Super User
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Unfortunately due to a number of paddlers being away and with a pretty full on weather system due to arrive on the weekend the decision has been made to postpone the Penninsua Marathon. If there is anough interest we will look at running it in April.
Twilight Race 12
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- Category: Race Article
- Published on Tuesday, 13 March 2012 11:57
- Written by Super User
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Another great night of racing tonight with hard fought wins by Drew Wilkinson in Div 2 and Cooka in Div 1. Drew managed to get clear of the chasers lead by Matt Shaw with everyone else forming one long conga line to the finish with Simon Fielding third.
It was a treat to sit back and watch one of the closest races I have ever witnessed with the Div 1 boys pulling themselves inside out to stay near the front and in contention. Marty pulled them along at a cracking pace early before the new look Stew Lawless took up the pace and put a few in difficulty.
On the home stretch Cooka pulled along side Stew and the pair battled it out with Marty on their sterns and Bucks just behind. Sprotty had a moment midway home. Having given everything to get on the wash of the leaders his body finally waved the white flag as he was racked with involuntary convulsions as his stomach tried to empty its contents (very funny). In the finish Cooka took out his first Twilight win with Stew second and Marty third.
Next fortnight is the last twilight for this Summer so come along and support the last one. We have noticed a decline in the number of people turning up in recent times and we understand people have family and work pressures but if you want the racing you need to support it or it will disappear. A BBQ will follow the race.
Don't forget the Battle of the Boats this Sunday, race starts at 11.30 from DSS
Battle of the Boats Dominated By Skis
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- Published on Wednesday, 21 March 2012 07:37
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16 paddlers milled around nervously as they discussed the upcoming race, tactics and the yachties insistence that the last yacht to start goes 5 minutes before the scratch paddlers.
The wind was blowing a light 5-10 knot northerly as the first group of yachts and paddlers got underway. The remaining 4 groups watched on as the boats did battle up the first windward leg. There were several very close calls as the yachties tried to intimidate the paddlers with the size of their craft as they tacked up wind.
The scratch group of paddlers was lead out hard in close formation by Marty Stephenson while Bucks had an additional adrenaline rush as the aptly named War Games missed his stern by centimeters. By the end of the first 3km up wind leg the wind had died out and the yachts were stranded. What was a battle of the boats had now become a handicap paddling race as the remaining scratch markers of Ben, Stew and Ian tried to catch Phil and Brent. There was a lot of yelling from the yachties as we passed them which was apparently words of encouragement.
In the end Phil Watkins was first across the line, just ahead of Brent Ransom and Ben Maynard had the fastest time of the day with 55 mins for the 12km course.
Needless to say, the paddlers defeated the yachties and were awarded the perpetual trophy.
There were many discussions afterwards while the band was playing about what could of happened if the wind had blown but the Derwent Canoe Club will be engraved on the trophy for the next 12 months until we do it again.
Thanks to the DSS for organising a great event and one that will create a lot of fun in the years to come.
2012 Ocean Paddling State Titles Report
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- Published on Sunday, 04 March 2012 09:02
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O'Geary Continues His Domination of Tasmanian Ocean Racing
Luke O'Geary continued his winning ways yesterday in the 2012 Ocean Paddling State Titles but not before a knock'em down drag'em out stoush with the 2010, 2011 title holder Ben Maynard.
The start at Seven Mile Beach saw the field head off at pace towards Spec Island at Dodges Ferry. Todd Sargison spearheaded a powerful front group before Luke and then Ben took turns to shake things up a bit. As the pace cranked up so did the wind with solid runs starting to form lining up beautifully with the finish at Lauderdale. Around the Island Luke and Ben had built a small advantage over Todd and Sprotty with Jim Stubbs, Cooka and Marty next around. Cathy Macombe was keeping the boys honest in the second half of the field while Stephan in the only OC1 was working hard to stay in contact.
