Today we had a "boutique field" of competitors take part in the last race for 2009 on one of the easiest stretches of water we have in Wellington, the very scenic Motorway Course. Sticking with the short courses, the 6 km run down the Motorway, even with only 14 paddlers it always gives us our best crowd of spectators with just over 5,000 people having the pleasure of viewing us out on the water as they drive up and down the Motorway. :-)
Anyhow it was a fantastic day out there with the wind dropping about 70kph from last night so we just had a 40kph (gentle zephyr) a fine day and a flat pitch to paddle on. The Multisport kayaks were able to join us today due to the shoreline course (and no white caps) and they made the most of the flat conditions to set the pace of the race early on.
The Waka Ama Boys who always support our races better than anyone, again out numbered the Surf ski and Kayak paddlers and they always push hard to chase down anyone with a double paddle ahead of them.
Thanks to the 90 plus paddlers who have supported the six pre Christmas races and we look forward to seeing you in 2010 with the first race kicking off at Hataitai Beach on January 10.
Also thanks to the Wellington Regional Council for keeping an eye on us, Hoe Tonga (Wgtn Regional Waka Ama Group) Shane Ross, who runs the Wellington Tuesday Night Kayak Series, Steve Knowles at Sportzhub and to Sharlene who does the Lions share of the work at each race while I swann around out on the water.
For all the photos from todays racing and latest on what we're up to www.surfskiandwakaama.blogspot.com
For info on Wellington's Twlight Kayak Series www.betterthantv.co.nz
Results:
Kayak: Glenn Muirhead 29:52 Matt Archer 31:32 Les Morris 32:29
W1: Grant Barriball 33:50 Rick Kopa 37:49 James Sadler 38:05 Tuhiwai Hauiti-Parapara 38:16 Terry Gardiner 39:25
W2: Doug Omeri/ Tuhiwai Hauiti-Parapara 36:59
Sea Kayak: Pete Notman 41:52
Surf ski: Chester Burt 31:37 Sandy Winterton 34:21
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