Awesome Foursome, Bude
Awesome Foursome, Bude
Successful racing despite tough conditions
Any quadrathletes that arrived in Bude on Friday were faced with rain, a foot high swell and white horses on the canal, not to mention the height of the waves in the sea, torrential rain forecast …. the prospect of good race conditions looked distant!
But a change of wind direction during the night, ment that next morning the sea was calmer and the canal was fairly flat. We were still faced with strong southerly winds and a couple of heavy showers, which still made it a very challenging race.
In the men’s race there were no current BQA trophy leaders, or GB team members, but the competition was none the less fierce with plenty of local talent, racing hard and fast!
In the ladies race there were plenty of familiar faces, BQA and GB Team members plus some local females.
The teams and pairs event mixed in with the individuals always means there is a fast pace, this year there were some exceptional performances on the individual legs, and Team Three and a Half won overall in a very fast time of 2.46.13 having had a close battle throughout with Team Nippers Coaches who finished in 2nd – 2.49.58. Hammond/Moyle were well ahead in the pairs and won in 2.54.55.
In the individual race James Marshall came 1st out of the swim in 19mins and held onto the lead throughout to take first overall in a superb time of 2 51.38.
The Vet 40s category were very strong with Gus Gusterson taking 2nd overall - 2.57.10. The kayak course record was smashed by GB Olympic kayak hopeful Ben Brown in 39.38 who finished 3rd overall -2.58.10. Philip Nye finished strongly to win Vet 50 - 3.15.40.
In the Ladies race Helen Parkinson held the lead from the start, despite capsizing at the near the end of the kayak leg and swimming down the canal into the finish. She came 6th overall 1st female - 3.07.10.
In second place overall was Jean Ashley, after having a strong kayak leg finished in 3.20.27. 3rd was Trish Merrett in 3.35.58.
Due to work on the canal towpath, the regular run course had to be re-directed along the cycle path which was longer, this added about 6 minutes to athletes run times.
Wind and waves on the day were no match for the sunny atmosphere created by the organizer Simon Hammond and his excellent commentary throughout the race. His family and team of friendly marshals also did a great job to help produce yet another Awesome Foursome!
This year’s race organization was further enhanced by the introduction of timing chips, so the race results and prize giving followed immediately after the last competitor crossed the line.
As always Bude is a very friendly end to the Quadrathlon season, set in beautiful Cornish surroundings, with a great opportunity for après race surfing or a local Cornish pasty … whatever takes your fancy!
There were some excellent photographs taken of the event, and are certainly worth a look, these can be found on www.bob@studiosouthwest.co.uk
RESULTS
MENS SENIOR
1ST James Marshal 2.51.38
2nd Ben Brown 2.58.10
3rd Phill Miles 3.09.49
Over 40
1st Gus Gusterson 2.57.10
2nd Rob Shaw 3.04.25
3rd David Baker 3.06.09
Over 50
1st Philip Nye 3.15.40
LADIES
1st Helen Parkinson 3.07.10
2nd Trish Merret 3.35 .58
3rd Anita Buxton 3.46.29
Over 40
1st Ally Martin 3.41.10
Over 50
1st Jean Ashley 3.20.27
TEAM
1st Three and a Half 2.46.13
PAIRS
1st Hammond-Moyle 2.54.55
