The temperature was well below freezing and the car park was like an ice rink, but that didn’t deter the paddlers from coming to race at the 2nd Mini Slalom this year. The Mini Slalom series is always popular for paddlers to get some “racing” practice in during the winter. It is also really good for the lower division paddlers to get to see some of the best paddlers on the water and with the handicap system actually race against them and stand a chance of beating them. The second of the three race series didn’t disappoint to attract top talent with 2012 Olympians Lizzie Neave (S&SCC) & Moe Kaifuchi, joined by GB Team paddler Huw Swetnam adding to an already impressive Prem class. It really gave the younger paddlers something to aspire to and the older paddlers something to dream about! As well as attracting top talent the minis always attract people from far afield and this race set a new record, we had visitors to Stone from as far away as Winchester, Llandysul in South Wales, but beating them all was Moe Kaifuchi who had come all the way from Japan, we just hope she liked the oatcakes.
So after the girls took the top steps at the 1st mini it was the turn of the boys. After all the handicaps had been removed, taking 1st place with a time of 82.7 seconds was Huw Swetnam, close on his stern was Klass Francisks Rozentals in his C1 with an impressive 83.3 seconds and in 3rd place was Remi Baudot with a time of 84.2 seconds. It was good to see Alana Middleton, who won the the first mini this year came in 4th with a time of 84.7 seconds and Isobel Mockett who was 3rd last time, was 5th with 85.8 seconds. Keeping the pressure on and hopefully mixing up the podium for the final race on the 17th February.
All the race results can be seen here.
Despite the cold start it turned into a lovely sunny day and the racing went smoothly on the technical course designed by Alfie Boote. A big thank you has to go to Harry Ship who organised the judges for the day, Pete Appleton and John Homer for organising the event and as ever everyone who helped build the course, run control, judge and especially to Kay Royle and her busy catering team who kept us fed and warm. We would also like to thank Huw for handing out the prizes and Stephen Pearce for the photos.
Please do join us for the third and final mini slalom on the 17th February, more details can be found on the Events Page.
