RACE REPORT: - MACCLESFIELD 2: - 13\07\2003

MADCC host the ninth, and final, round of the season’s Hasler League. We took the easy option today and staged the race on Macclesfield Canal at our club site at Bollington. Racing on a narrow canal is never easy, especially on a hot, sunny summers day when there a lots of barges around to influence the race outcome. Maintaining our position as the largest team in the region, MADCC presented a squad of 23 paddlers, 15 K1’s, 3 K2’s and a couple of Lightning’s. The weather did not suit racing as it was far too hot and lots of fluids was the order of the day.

The first race of the day was a 12 miler in which Robin put in lots of effort but had to settle for 3^rd place behind the two higher ranked opponents. MADCC made up two thirds of the Div 4 K1 event, where Gordon and Dylan took 1^st and 2^nd respectively, well done you two. Next away was Div 5 K1 where our only entry struggled with the pace and Adrian finished 5^th, just out of the points. Half of the Div 6 K1 race were MADCC men and despite a very fast race Neil took 3^rd place with Chris just behind in 4^th spot.

The first of the four mile races to go was MADCC’s strongest event, Div 7\8 K2. Dominating the proceedings once more, we made it a MADCC 1 2 3 with Michelle and Simon taking gold, Tom and Kerrian silver, while Nich and Phil were pushed into bronze position. Div 7 K1 proved as exciting as ever with Mark working hard to take 3^rd place. Paul, paddling a fresh and unstable boat, did well to finish in 5^th place while Mike chased him home in 6^th spot. Divisions 8 and 9 K1 were combined to give the largest race of the day with 8 boats, off which six were from MADCC! Chris showed his brother how it should be done, by taking home a silver medal, good stuff. Margaret proved as competitive as ever and fought her way into 3^rd place, pushing Pat into 4^th spot. Karen showed off her new paddles and took 5^th place, with Bill just behind in 6^th spot. Liam, still getting used to racing boats, finished in 7^th place.

The last event of the day is the Lightning Race, which is intended to encourage the youngsters to try racing. Sarah controlled the event taking a well-deserved victory, while Simon had to settle for 2^nd place. Well done to them both.

A good day’s racing which saw some very good results for MADCC, with plenty of medals coming our way – 3 gold, 4 silver and 5 bronze! Over half the entries for this race came from MADCC, so yet again it was no surprise that we took the full ten points for the Hasler League, as well as stretching our lead in the Points and Posteriors table. As well as thanking ALL those that paddled for us, I would like to thank the team of helpers and workers, who actually did the hard bit of running the race, and made the event run smoothly. Thank You very much indeed, without these people the races would not happen – you need more than paddlers for a race to succeed!

As this was the last round of the Hasler League it should be mentioned that MADCC have made a clean sweep of the points this season, taking a top score of 90 out of 90 available. I’m not sure, but I think it’s the first time we have won every round so a really big WELL DONE to everyone who has turned out and represented the club this season. MADCC will now go to the Hasler Finals in September as the top club from the North West Region!