RACE REPORT: - MACCLESFIELD II: - 13\06\2004

The second of our events is held in Manchester on the Bridgewater Canal starting and finishing at Castlefield junction, where the Bridgewater and the Rochdale Canals meet. This was the eighth round of the Hasler league and MADCC felt confident they could keep up their unbeaten team record, but could they? The weather was wonderful, a bright sunny day when plenty of liquid was required before, during and after the race! The course was simple enough, even I couldn’t go wrong! Paddle two miles along the canal, passing Old Trafford on the way and passing through Trafford Park industrial Estate, turn round and come back. Those doing eight miles just do two laps.

The first race of interest to MADCC was the Div. 5\6 K2 race. All three crews were from our club so rivalry was running high! Neil and Simon took the lead from the start and never let it slip. Kerrian and Adrian chased them hard all the way, but had to be content with 2^nd place while John and Mark took 3^rd spot. They found the wash a bit rough at one point and took an early swim, well done for getting going again!

Next away was Div. 7 K1 where three MADCC members battled away in a very close race. After four long miles Mike finally got away to secure 2^nd place with Don hard on his heels in 3^rd spot. Paul had to settle for 4^th place today. Another three MADCC hopefuls were present in Div. 8 K1. The ever-faster Sarah stormed away to victory beating her nearest rival by just over two minutes! Super performance young lady, and yes, she was promoted! Kris had an off day and had to settle for 3^rd place with Pat just behind suffering from the heat. Next away was the Div. 9 K1 event. Mark had a very successful outing in a new boat and claimed a gold medal and promotion, well done Mark! Rob raced his new sea kayak into 5^th place. MADCC’s youngest racer of the day competed in the Lightning event. Simon proved his sister isn’t the only fast one in the family by winning the race, well done to him.

MADCC had yet another good day with four gold medals, two silver medals and three bronze medals to add to the collection! With fifteen out of the thirty-four racers wearing those bright yellow vests, MADCC claimed another team victory with top marks in the league and for Bums on Seats. Just one more race to go and we are on course for a clean sweep of the points and showing no signs of letting up the pressure on the other clubs in the region. A big, big THANK YOU to the kind people who run this event on our behalf, the starter / finisher, timekeepers and race marshals who are all vital to the events success.

There were calls for a steward’s enquiry into the raffle when John managed to “win” the homemade fruitcake yet again! He somehow managed to shake off accusations of a fix.