RACE REPORT: - MID WEAVER: - 16\05\2004

Glorious sunshine greeted the twenty-one members of MADCC who ventured to the centre of Northwich for the seventh round of the region’s Hasler competition. Freestyle Canoe Club host this event and the race is staged on the Weaver Navigation, a river that tends to behave like a canal! The scenery isn’t too bad though, and on a nice day like this it’s hard to concentrate on the racing. A straight forward out and return type course, with the added interest of a portage for the higher divisions. The team comprised of thirteen singles and four doubles spread across five divisions, which gave MADCC a great chance of securing top points again from the days racing.

The first race of the day was an amalgamated Div. 4, 5, & 6 K1 event. Three MADCC members were on the start line and they all did extremely well. Chris and Neil started slowly but built up during the race, eventually fighting between themselves for 2^nd and 3^rd places. Chris took the silver medal by two seconds. Simon held the pace well throughout to finish 7^th – not last! Three boats lined up for the Div. 5\6 K2 race, of which two were ours. The pace took its toll in the heat and the crews were a little spread out at the end with John and Mark in 2^nd place, while Adrian and Kerrian took 3^rd place.

The four-mile events got underway with Div.7 K1. A very closely contested race, with all boats finishing within fifty seconds of each other. Mike worked really hard managing to snatch the gold medal by half a second! Don claimed the bronze medal by the thickness of a coat of paint while Paul took 5^th place. Div. 8 K1 was an all MADCC affair, with Neil opting to paddle up a division. This proved to be a mistake, as he not only won the race but got promoted as well! Margaret chased him home for 2^nd place with Pat settling for a bronze medal. An amalgamated Div 7\8 & 9 K2 race went next with half the field belonging to MADCC. There seems to be no stopping Sarah at the moment as Tom and her secured another gold medal. Michelle and Nathan were pushed into 3^rd place. Div. 9 K1 was yet another closely fought race with Karen D and Liam battling all the way until the young lady out sprinted the older man to take 1^st place. They were both promoted for their troubles! Rob raced in his new sea kayak and took 5^th place with Mandy struggling a little in her first race for nearly a year just behind him.

It proved to be yet another great day for MADCC with four gold medals, four silver and five bronzes heading our way. Yet again MADCC took the top honours in both the Hasler League and the Points and Posteriors table. With just two races to go we are well on our way to taking a clean sweep in the league this year. Really well done to everyone involved!