VLC LONG AND SHORT RACE – SUNDAY 5 JUNE 2016
Thanks to VLC for once again providing opportunities to paddlers who need points, experience and training mileage for upcoming challenges, with the Long and the Short Klip on Sunday 5 May – World Environment Day, and nominated to raise awareness for the PADDLE FOR THE PLANET organisation.
The day was once again very misty and chillier than previous race mornings although still no frost on the ground…..the Giant Kingfishers were out and about, as were the little colourful Malachites, but the Otters were in hiding on the lower Klip although at least one was sighted last weekend and the tracks are still in the mud!
The day did warm up rapidly and it was once again a wonderful winter day in Gauteng….
The Long Klip race started at the Heidelberg Bridge at 8h30, covering 46km to finish at the Waterfront in Three Rivers, with 18 boats finishing, which included a K3, and 3 x K2’s although no ladies! Alex Masina (JCC) won the race in 3:09 as first Under 18 however Phineas Zulu (SOW) finished 1 second later with the first Veteran Roy Clegg (VIC) finishing in 3:11.
Etienne Rawlinson and George Louw (DABS) sprinted across the finish line 3h20 with Louw 1 second behind, being the first Sub Veteran and Sibusiso Chwayi was the Under 16 winner finishing in 3h34 7th overall.
The first Master across the finish line was Grant Conlon (VIC) in 3h47, and Keith Beeston / John Rowan (JCC / ERK) were the winning Grand Masters in 4:03!
On the short VLC Klip race Kobus Filmalter (WAT) finished first overall in 1h31 as first Veteran with Thando Ngamlana as first Under 23 second, one minute later (SOW).
In the ladies race Morgan Ziervogel (JCC) finished first in 1h45 (Under 23), with Maritette Zandbergh (WAT) 2nd in 1.54, as the sub Veteran K1 of the day, and Anneke Van der Merwe (WP) 3rd in 2h19.
Richard Fly and Shane Gouldie were the winning double in 1h34 (CEN), 3rd place overall, and the first Under 18 and Under 16 from Soweto in 1h37 was Xolisa Gxobole and Zanenhlanhla Mbala with the first Masters being Glen Sinclair and David Ivy (JCC) in 1h38. Meyer Steyn was the Grand Master winner in 1h40, and 12th overall.
The first Mixed boat – a K3 finished in 1h39 with Watuni’s Hermanus Lombard, Schalk Van Zyl and Lititia Janse van Vuuren while Cobus Wagner and Marlise Swanepoel (DABS) who were the first Sub Veteran finishers were also the first Mixed Double K2 were half a minute later.
Frank Dabrowski (DABS) finished as first Great Grand Master in 1h42, while the Sub Master winners were the JCC K3, Anthony Phelp, Martin Sly and Mark Hall in 1h44 although the Sub Master K1 top finisher was Bruce Falcon (Dabs) in 1:51.
Jaydon Hunt (FLO) was the first Under 14 finisher in 1h56.
It was an awesome day to enjoy the river and get some good training in with tasty meals and drinks on sale after the event and good sponsored prizemoney – thanks again VLC.
Jennie Dallas
GCU PR
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