VLC DUSI TRAINING NIGHT RACE – TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2016
Despite the storm and warnings of severe thundershowers that crossed over Johannesburg, sweeping from South, East to West, and North, Germiston Lake appears to have been safely within the eye while the storm raged around the area!
With perfect pleasant weather on a wonderful summer evening, the race attracted somewhat 120 paddlers with many late entries despite the threatening surrounding thunders…..with Tshirts provided to all timeous entries, as well as spot prizes from Adidas Eyeware and wet bags from Global Office Supplies.
The race of 15 km on Tuesday 9 February consisted of 5 x 3km laps each with a short 50m portage for the Dusi training experience.
The only disappointment of the evening was the lack of lady racers, although there were a few mixed doubles.
The winning boat was Dave Hamilton-Brown and Wayne Jacobs (DABS) in a time of 1:06:23:04, and I specifically mention the split seconds as this was a tight photo finish indeed, as the first Sub Veteran pair, while the 2nd and 3rd place finishers disputed their position, but it was resolved fortunately by a photo finish camera confirmation.
Second place and first senior double, in 1:06:23:65, brought in Phineas Zulu and Alex Roberts (SOW/DABS), with Siyabonga Tyiki and Thando Ngamlana (SOW) settling for 3rd place in 1:06:24 as the first Under 23 pair.
Nkosi Mzolo, with Tom Ngcobo (SOW) and MIke and Liam Stewart (ERK) were the next two finishers in 1:08, with a bunch in the same time frame, that included Richard Cele and Sboniso Shozi (VIC/THO), and Sibusiso Chway with Loveday Zondi (SOW).
The first Masters and Sub Master doubles came in at 1:11, with Malcolm Stothard and Mike Barry, (Dabs/ERK) as well as Michael Kirkby and Theo Smit (CEN), while the first Veteran boat with Collen Gibbs and Roger Stubbs finished in 1:14 (VIC).
The mixed double crew that crossed the finish line first was JCC’s Morgan Ziervogel with Gavin steyl in 1:16, and there was also a Sub Grand Master team who finished the race in 1:25, VIC’s Zach Zacharopoulos and Timothy Baker.
With a good vibe in the clubhouse after the race including family meals and a comfortable pub, the evening was enjoyable for all.
Jennie Dallas
for GCU PR
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