2005 Wildwater Nationals Report

2005 Wildwater Nationals Report

The Derwent Canoe Club came away with 15 Gold medals, 3 Silver medals and 4 Bronze medals in Australian Championship races as well as 10 Gold medals, 5 Silver medals and 5 Bronze medals in selection events and the Sea to Summit pre-Australians.

• Dan Hall won every race he entered to become the Australian MenÕs Wildwater Champion for the second year in a row, staving off stiff competition form Piers Christensen (2003 winner on the Mersey and 2004 Olympic hopeful). DanÕs classic time of 13:12.02 is probably a course record for the standard course at 850 cusecs flow.
• Matt Dalziel was less than 3 secs from 3^rd place (over 13.5 mins) in the menÕs open classic race.
• Andrew Maynard picked up gold in the 22yrs Aust Championships sprint race and 5 silver medals.
• Carol Hurst dominated the womenÕs event winning every event (5 gold) and being the only woman to brave the Bradys course in the DR event and retains her Australian WomenÕs Wildwater Champion crown.
• In the Teams event Dan Hall and Matt Dalziel won gold, with Andrew Maynard a Silver and Dave Gray and Swarz a Bronze in the open MenÕs teams
• Dave Gray and Chris Blackaby won their respective Australian Championships in Masters and Veterans.
• Swarz picked up a Bronze in the Gutbuster from strong WA Masters contenders.
• In the Juniors, Alexander Lewis achieved Australian Championships gold in the 14 Years events while TIS Talent Search athletes Alistair Stanny and Oliver Lovell won gold in 15 years Classic and Sprint events, with Doug Hagger picking up a bronze.

The event looks like it will make a profit, based on late entries and much, cost cutting after entry numbers were down by the cut-off date. There were no significant injuries though there were a number of rescues (some reaching the media) that were all executed successfully.