Henley Winter Series Race 1 - updated

Monday, 14 November 2011 08:08

It is normal to leave Bristol and drive to Henley watching the temperature gauge drop degree by degree the nearer we get to Henley.  This year we set off and the closer we got the warmer it got what was happening - if this is global warming then great!  Once at the Eyot Centre the sun was shining and it was a question of how much clothing to remove rather than add.

There was a large field of 14 crews with one charity team racing for Children in Need.  From the outset Excalibre had posted their intentions even withdrawing the GB paddlers from the Saturday training session such was the importance placed on the event.

After a two minute silence to remember those that had made it possible for us all to be here on Remembrance Sunday we lined up 9 teams in front of us and 4 behind us, Execalibre, GB 1000, Longridge GB and the Rafters.

We set off at a good pace and slowly reeled in Henley but were passed just before the island turn by a flying Execalibre team, there wasn't much we could do so focussed on listening to the commands being given by Rob as we took the first turn beautifully taking several metres out of Henley who fought hard for around 1000 metres but we eventually got away and broke them as once passed they dropped off significantly. We seemed to now get a second wind on hearing drums behind us and nearing Henley Bridge that marked the last third of the race. By now were on reserves but still hitting the stroke and working hard as GB1000 came alongside and despite calls from within their boat they couldn’t find the extra to get past, on our inside were the Rafters and they were really pressing hard with two other boats ahead the turn was going to be crucial. 5 boats went into the last turn, 3 boats (The Rafters, GB1000 and another) went really wide and we made a fantastic tuck turn to get the inside line alongside Raging who tried to hold us but we eventually passed them out to the right the Rafters and GB 1000 made a race to the line which we couldn’t match.

It was a great day for racing and one to remember. The event was well won by the Rafters, followed by Longridge GB, and a joint 3^rd place of GB 1000 and Execalibre a fantastic achievement and well deserved. Then followed Worcester and Tao ahead Thames/Phoenix and then a tight nit group of teams that included Hurricanes, Kingston, Henley and Secklow all separated by less than 17 seconds, followed by Execalibre Blades, Raging and Fujitsu the charity team.

We had three novice Henley paddlers in our boat Wendy, Jo and Julia who all performed really well and several of the crew suffering from a hard GB training session the day before and one returning paddler Bob. Well done everyone we did well but as they say on school reports (mine anyway) “Must try harder!” So get your names down on the forum let’s see if we can get two teams out and break the 32 minute barrier we can do it!

Here's an update on the finishing places (not ratified by Henley as yet)

1). Rafters – 30 minutes 30 Seconds

2). Longridge Dragons – 31:15

3). The 1000 Crew – 31:28

4). Exe-calibre – 31: 28

5). Worcester – 32:24

6). Tao – 33:55

7). Thames/Phoenix - 34:06

8). Hurricanes – 35:19

9). Kingston – 35:21

10). Henley – 35:23

11). Secklow – 35:36

12). Exe-calibre Blades – 37:06

13). Raging Dragons – 37:11

14). Fujitsu - 44:13