RACE REPORT:- MACCLESFIELD 1:- 21\03\2004
The Adelphi Mill in Bollington is the scenic setting for MADCC’s first race of the year. Racing on the Macclesfield Canal instead of a nice wide river tests peoples racing skills. Overtaking someone has to be a swift manoeuvre due to the narrow bridges and once you are in the lead a barge can appear in the wrong place at the wrong time and remove any lead you had! Despite all the pitfalls, it was an impressive turn out by MADCC. A total of twenty-five people, over half the entry, paddling twenty-one boats represented the club. As ever, the team was a mixture of 17 singles and 4 doubles to gain as many points as possible.
Robin set off first in a combined Div. 2 & 3 K1 race. The Div. 2 paddlers set an incredible pace and after gaining 3rd place Robin looked exhausted. Another fast race in Div. 4 K1 saw Gordon push his way into 3rd place and yet another tired looking racer! Div. 5 & 6 K1 was a very close contest with Neil snatching the gold medal with a sprint finish, well done. Adrian worked hard to finish 3rd, with John in 5th place after an attack of cramp. A combined Div. 7\8 & 9 K2 race got the four-mile events underway. This was an extremely close contest with some very competitive racing involved. After an eventful first half, the turn saw four K2’s all trying to turn on Macclesfield Canal at the same time! Experience showed through as Pat and Simon came away in the lead and cruised home for the gold medal. Nathan and Catherine chased them all the way back but had to settle for 2nd place while Tom and Kerrian picked up the bronze medal. Michelle and Douggie had to settle for 4th spot after fighting with the steering for most of the way. Another fast and furious race followed in Div.7 K1, where Mark had to summon up speed and strength he didn’t know he had to seal his victory by just two seconds! Well-done Mark. A return to form for Mike saw him claim 3rd place with Don chasing hard in 5th spot. Sarah and Kris were racing in Div.8 K1 following their promotions at Northwich. Sarah continued her winning ways, but only just as Kris was just eight seconds behind in 2nd place. Ten boats lined up for Div. 9 K1 which meant the start was chaotic. Margaret pulled away and led the field to pick up her first gold medal, well done Margaret! She also picked up promotion to Div.8! Mark chased but couldn’t catch and had to settle for 2nd place, with Mark D just behind in 3rd. Liam worked hard to take 4th spot with the ever-graceful Karen in 6th place. Rob seems to like this racing lark, and claimed 8th place while Gill and her shiny sea boat took 9th spot.
Overall it was a
splendid day for MADCC with five gold, three silver and six bronze medals
coming our way. The standard of competition in the four-mile events is increasing
and MADCC members are performing well at the moment. MADCC ruled the day again
as we took the Hasler points and the peoples trophy yet again. I just hope we
can sustain this level all year. Many, Many thanks to those good people who
helped run the event and made a great day even better.