Flat Paddle warm up/down 15 [2] 1.0 km (15 / km)
shoes: Epic V12
warm up steadily into the wind and then some efforts back with the wind. And then reserving a spot on the fairly croweded start line.
Flat Paddle race (Paddle Challenge) 1:26:56 [4] 17.35 km (5:01 / km)
ahr:156 max:169 shoes: Epic V12
Paddle Challenge, mass start of all classes (136 boats). Time updated, 18th overall. Only 6s/km slower than the 12km's two weeks ago which I am pretty happy with.
I lined up alongside Adam Baker and John Wilke and got absolutely smoked off the line. After the first 500m I was sititng in the fifth bunch, only two of those in front containing ski's.
I sat on the front with Jenni for the first couple of km's, we put in a big effort to reel in the pair in front of us and got with in about 15m but couldn't get over the bump to be on their wash. in the end we settled down into our group of 4 ski's and Jenni. Dave and I were doing most of the work on the front and after the first turn I got tired of it and just stopped paddling. one of the other boys moved to the front and for the rest of it we shared to load a bit better.
Coming past the start line again the fourth bloke that had been bludging went to the front for a couple of big surges, sitting on 13.5 for a km and dropping Jenni off the back and then again after Garret road bridge.
The last bit of the course went through Ascot waters and with a really highh tide their wasn't much clearance under the second bridge. The other boys slowed for it but I accelerated and slid under with my head lying back on the deck. I came out the other side two boat lengths clear and took off for the finish line, I wasn't fast enough though and two of the boys rolled me before the line.
Finished 5th open ski to sneak into teh prizes, 7th ski overall maybe? and around 20th including the rest of the rabble.
I was happier with this race since I felt like I went better tactically, still lots of room for improvement on that front though.I worked a bit too hard to try and reel in the seconk pack early, I should have either tried harder adnd ensured I got them, or not tried so hard in the first place. I dunno.
But I did beat Andrew! which is bragging rights for a couple of weeks. Didn't get T2 though, and he quite loudly let everyone know when I went up to collect my prize.