A sunny day at the Burton Hasler
Monday, June 14th, 2010A new and improved super-size race team went off to Burton on Trent for the day yesterday with the club managing to field 11 paddlers - that's the first time we've been in double figures for a long time. As usual Burton managed to find some good weather (perfectly timed as the heavens opened just as we left to drive home) and Team Shropshire generally had an excellent day.
In doubles Cam raced up in Division 6 with Anita with both of them looking very smooth and crossing the line in 3rd place. In Div 7 Ellie and Deb notched up a comfortable win - so comfortable that they were seen negotiating with Mick Nadal to ensure that they didn't get promoted just yet.
In Div 8 Dave and Kate yet again found themselves racing to the line against Solihull, but this time got edged out into 4th place.
In singles Jonathan went for his first race in Div 9 (whilst being heard muttering something about "this is only my 4th time in a boat...". I think we still have some work to do to find an appropiate size and shaped boat for him as some back problems meant that he didn't exactly have a comfortable race. He didn't come last however, and at least we were able to put him in touch with a good physio afterwards.
At the other end of the Div 9 pack we saw the very welcome return of Florence Whittle to the race team, putting in a storming race in her first time out of Lightnings. She came a very credible 3rd with both the two people above her being promoted straight to Div 8.
In a huge Div 8 field Sam managed to avoid any entanglements with careless East Anglians to come 6th, while Andy found himself racing flat out in the final stretch (with a couple of juniors!!) but old age and treachery overcame youth and talent to enable him to sneak a 9th.
Last. but certainly not least, Matt braved that sudden double-distance feeling that comes with being promoted to Div 6 and still managed to come 4th. he looked, shall we say, a little weary as he came off but that's all just a matter of practice.
All in all a great day, terrific to see so many people on the water and some very useful club points which consolidated our position in the clubs championship. It's now looking pretty much certain that we'll make the cut for an invitation to the Hasler finals. That, however, is a long way away - the next thing is our own race next weekend. See you all there in some capacity or other.