John Clingo breaks through to win the Kayak4Play Browns River Race 6 handicap title!
It was a perfect evening for a kayak race. 33 paddlers in 31 boats, warm, but not too hot, little wind, little weed on a rapidly receding tide. The race sponsors had again been busy this time removing that hazardous jetty that was left in the middle of the home strait after recent treacherous floods. And the water was almost clear! Could the mystery of what lies at the bottom of Browns finally be revealed? Where are those feared mystery rock banks, tree stumps, shopping trolleys, golf buggys, mud banks etc?
Then John Clingo churned up the water turning it back to Brown with his blistering run taking nearly a minute off his previous time to win. His arms were going extra fast once he realised he had a chance to win at Browns. He takes home the $20 winners voucher from sponsor Kayak4Play and can now bask in 2 weeks of glory until the handicappers make it really hard for him in the next race. His victory celebration (caught on the finishing line video) is sure to be a hit on Utube!
Jodi Templar also showed great improvement to improve her time by 70 secs from the previous race to come second on handicap with John Dalco paddling well to take out third.
There was some close finishes with Ben Maynard (14min 26 sec) just ahead of Stew Bennett with the fastest times of the day. Other Ògrudge matchesÓ had Andrew Buckley ahead of Andrew Palmer and Matt Watton just held off Dan Firth.
Hannah Brown was again the fastest female ahead of Jodi Templar.
It was great to see a number of new paddlers and old faces returning to Browns.
Thanks to Marg, Cliff and Ann for starting and time keeping.
Ocean downwind racing returns this Saturday 6th at Frederick Henry Bay and then at the DSS on Tuesday night (followed by the club meeting). Brownwater racing returns on Feb 16th. Details of upcoming races and full handicap and fastest Browns race 6 times are on the DCC website.
Cheers,
Andy
