Phenomenal Turnout for SSCC's First Mini Slalom Event of the 2006 Season

Hundreds of paddlers turned out for Stafford and Stone Canoe Club’s first Mini Slalom this weekend making it the most successful pre-season event run by the club.

169 competitors from all over the country, from beginners to top-ten-in-the-country-athletes competed together in the handicapped race on the river Trent, Westbridge Park, Stone.

Club Chairman, Phil Gooding, said: “This event has been the most successful Mini Slalom to date. Last year, 120 paddlers was considered an amazing turnout, but 169 blows this away.”

Stafford and Stone CC proved its strength in depth by fielding over 60 entries with many of the club’s paddlers winning prizes in their division. Tom Brady, a division one, Junior 16 paddler came in overall third position, following Helen Millband from Nottingham in first place and Jacquelyn Shaw from Ribble Canoe Club in second.

Practically all the Canadian class (C1 & C2) prizes were won by SSCC members. In the premier division, Greg Pitt and Mark Proctor came first and second respectively, whilst in division one Steve Hesford and Rob Downes came in first and second. George Tatchell won the division two race and Dan Woodcock was second in division two/three. In the Canadian doubles race, James Roden and Hannah Tattershall won the Prem/1 event and George Tatchell and Tom Brady won the divison 2 event.

Notable Stone results in the ladies event were: Hannah Bailey, 2nd in premier and Sarah Chynoweth in 3rd. In Division 1, Natalie Wilson came 1st followed by Emily Woodcock in 2nd. In Division 2, Steph Wood came 2nd and Hannah Norish 3rd.

The men’s kayak divisions also saw some impressive SSCC results. In 2nd place in the premier division was James Bailey, whilst in division one Tom Brady set an impressive time to come 1st, followed by Joe Clarke in 3rd. In division 2, Sam Johnson came 2nd. Michael Wilson’s first place in division three was an excellent result as the 11-year old has only been paddling for seven months. Matt Jones came 3rd in the same division. In division 4, Harry Boardman came 2nd, whilst class-mate Daniel Wright came 3rd.

The mini slalom series continue on February 5th and February 26th with a super final taking place at the last event to finalise the top ten overall positions.