Bishops Stortford Winter Series Race

Bishops Stortford Winter Series Race

The first of the Flatwater Racing Association’s Winter Series took place on Sunday 7th November, with this years series being the 40th anniversary of the series founding. Chelmsford Canoe Club continued their longstanding tradition of success at the series, winning the event by a comfortable margin over hosts Bishops Stortford Canoe Club.

The local race series provides a great introduction to racing for juniors, and as racing is in age category as opposed to ability level, it’s an opportunity to see where one stacks up against some of the region’s best in their age group.

The points tally of 210 was racked up by the team of 32, with podium places being achieved in every race with a Chelmsford Entry. Once again, the Open K2 proved to be the most popular class, with 21 boats crowding onto the tight start line, 8 of whom from Chelmsford.

The podium was an all Chelmsford affair of three Mixed crews, Matthew Johnson and Leah Falltrick coming out on top. Tim Gannicott-Porter brought home a Chelmsford 1-2 in the Open K1 class, after the first paddler across the line received a time penalty for a post-race technical infringement. Doug Herbert took victory in the 16 boat Vet Mens K1, Naomi Fuller and Tara Kathikeyan won the Under 16 K2. The Under 14 Boys was won by Cassian Payne, and GP Open class by Deborah Wilkes. Mataeo Bose, Finley Chamberlain, Rachel Hampton and Tilly Oaster also scored well in the Dick Grieve competition for novice juniors, placing Chelmsfords small team in that competition in 2nd place, behind the host club.

The next race in the series will be in Cambridge on the 5th December.