Twenty eight paddlers braved freezing wind and rain to compete in the first Brown’s Race of the year.
Phil Watkins put his new ski to good use to get line honours in the Blue Riband Handicap event, with John Dalco, Brad Rogers and Jen Brown trying to chase him down.
In the Time Trial, Ben Maynard was too quick for Matt Dalziel, finishing in a blistering time of 6:26 ahead of Matt’s 7.19 with Andrew Maynard coming third with a time of 7.34.
But the big surprise was Dan Firth. His fourth place in the Time Trail in a time of 8.01 shows he has more than just a brewer and consumer of copious quantities of fine beer, and much more than a fine match-maker or provider of relationship advice (I guess you had to be at the Lea Race), he’s also become a pretty quick multi-sport paddler. His time of 8.02 in the return leg handicap race showed good consistency, but wasn’t quick enough against some of the other gun handicap racers.
Andrew Buckley and Mark Dunbabin showed they are still quick after winter, and Andrew Flakemore showed how quick he can be now he’s out of the sea-kayak and into the Time Traveller – pulling out a 7.58 in the Handicap race.
For full results, see the link below. Next race – Melbourne Cup day – 4th November. See you then.
