Class winners were:
Class 1 (K2 16+ M) - Alessio Fiacco & Simon Margot (CAM)
Class 2 (K2 16+ Mixed) - Matthew Johnson & Leah Falltrick (CLM)
Class 3 (K2 16+ F) - Sienna Payne & Lauren Avery (CLM)
Class 4 (Marathon C2) - Chris Howe & Adrian Pyke (CAM)
Class 5 (K1 Sen M) - Tim Gannicott-Porter (CLM)
Class 6 (K1 Sen F) - Leanne Brown (MAI)
Class 7 (K1 Vet M) - Doug Herbert (CLM)
Class 8 (K1 Vet F) - Gayle McKeand (CLM)
Class 9 (K1 u18 M) - Cassian Payne (CLM)
Class 10 (K1 u18 F) - May Perrin (CLM)

The MRC have awarded divisional promotions to Paul Cooper (TON), Betsy Ray (RIC), and Marco Mangiantini (ROY). The home team also had a large number of promotions: Louis Auvray, James Benson, Aaron Birch, Ian Birch Harry Boggis, Alessio Bose, Bruno Bose, Jacqueline Hampton, Darren Harvey, Olivia Logie-Simpson, Kasper  Neilsen, Chris Slade,  and Edith Smerdon.

The overall winning club were Chelmsford CC (406 points) followed by Cambridge CC (102), and then B. Stortford CC third (63). Chelmsford CC also lead on Dick Grieve points (for novice juniors), but Leighton Buzzard CC held second place and B. Stortford third.

After all the recent floods and storms it was wonderful to have a calm, sunny and warm day for the fifth and final race of the Winter Series. As usual, competitors paddled either one, two or three laps on the Can, but this year all the courses started and finished in front of the clubhouse.

104 competitors from 13 different clubs took part, despite the fact that the event clashed with the rescheduled Luzemore race.

There were a number of very closely-contested finishes. The fastest three K1 Vet Men (Rimantas Slanias, Doug Herbert and Mark  Hampton) crossed the line within 13s of each other. In u18 Men, Theo Sales was only 5s behind Ali Kabeer. The closest photo-finish of the day came in u14 Boys where Louis Auvary claimed gold fractionally ahead of Mason Hammett.

Class 5 (K1 Sen M) - James Walkinton (CLM)
Class 6 (K1 Sen F) - Leanne Jordan (MAI)
Class 7 (K1 Vet M) - Rimantas Slanias (BAD)
Class 8 (K1 Vet F) - Gayle McKeand (CLM)
Class 9 (K1 u18 M) - Ali Kabeer (WOK)
Class 10 (K1 u18 F) - Sienna Payne (CLM)
Class 20 (K1 SuperVet M) - Graham McKeand (CLM)
Class 21 (K1 SuperVet F) - Karen Wiemer (CAM)
Class 22 (K2 u16) - Alessio & Matteo Bose (CLM)
Class 23 (K1 u16 M) -  Cassian Payne (CLM)
Class 24 (K1 u16 F) -  May Perrin (CLM)
Class 30 (Touring C2) - Barry Howe & Philip Hude (CLM)
Class 31 (K1 u14 M) - Louis Auvray (CLM)
Class 33 (C1 Novice) - Petr Luksan (BSF)
Class 34 (GP 16+ M) - Chris Sharp (NOR)
Class 35 (GP 16+ F) - Deborah Wilkes (CLM)
Class 35 (GP u16 M) - James Johnson (CLM)
Class 35 (GP u16 F) - Rebecca Perrin (CLM)
Class 38 (K1 u12 M) - Josh Cooke (CLM)
Class 39 (K1 u12 F) - Edith Smerdon (CLM)

Scott & Domas from Barking became the first winners of the new 16+ Mens K2 class, and the only paddler/crew in this series to complete a string of 5  wins.
The Dick Grieve K2 cup, formerly awarded to the fastest 16+ K2 crew overall has been re-purposed as trophy for the new Mixed K2 class - appropriate since it has been won by mixed crews every season since 2015. This went to Matt & Leah of Chelmsford - the fourth time they will put their names on it.

Mens K2 - Scott Leblanche & Domas Malinauskas (BAD)
Ladies K2 - Naomi Fuller & Tara Karthikeyan (CLM)
Mixed K2 - Matt Johnson & Leah Falltrick (CLM)
u16 K2 - Rebecca Perrin & James Johnson (CLM)

The new Mens K1 Super-Vet class on the middle-distance course has proved a popular introduction this year. Not knowing if it would catch on, the FRA had not committed to providing a perpetual trophy for it, but this is now in hand.
Doug Herbert (Chelmsford), who had held the K1 Vet Mens trophy for the last two years, and Rimantas Slanias (Barking) both took part in all five races this year. They ended the series tied on points for their best four. As Rimantas had the greater number of wins, he was therefore the class winner this year.
Tim, Ali, Cassian and Matteo each had an unbeaten run of four races in their respective age classes and are past winners of these or other WS trophies.

Super-Vet M K1 - Graham McKeand (CLM)
Vet M K1 - Rimantas Slanias (BAD)
Sen M K1 - Tim Gannicott Porter (CLM)
u18 M K1 - Ali Kabeer (WOK)
u16 M K1 - Cassian Payne (CLM)
u14 M K1  - Matteo Bose (CLM)
u12 M K1  - Conor Bates (LBZ)

Tammy from Norwich becomes the first winner of the new Super-Vet Women's class. All the other ladies are previous trophy winners in the WS - in particular Leanne Jordan (formerly Brown), wins the Senior Ladies class for the 9th time, and has her name on several of the other trophies as well.

Super-Vet F K1 - Tammy Edwards (NOR)
Sen F K1 - Leanne Jordan (MAI)
u18 F K1 - Sienna Payne (CLM)
u16 F K1 - May Perrin (CLM)
u14 F K1  - Libby Gaulton (BSF)
u12 F K1  - Lucy Myers (LBZ)

As well as age- and gender-specific classes, the series also features a number of classes exclusively for C2s, C1s or General Purpose kayaks. Deborah Wilkes won the Ladies GP class this year for the twelfth time in 20 seasons.

Marathon C2 - Peter & Helen Kruszelnicki (PRA)
Touring C2 - Adrian Pyke & Chris Howe (CAM)
Advanced C1 - Ross Pearton (HEM)
Novice C1 - Petr Luksan (BSF)
16+ M GP - Tim Chamberlin (CLM)
16+ F GP - Deborah Wilkes (CLM)

The winner of the main Winter Series Club trophy was never in doubt and of course went to Chelmsford.

There was a close contest for the Dick Grieve Trophy (based on the performance of unranked juniors), with Leighton Buzzard and Cambridge tied  on 43 points. The trophy went to Leighton Buzzard for having wins race wins against Cambridge's one. Leighton Buzzard also won the  Bob Porter Trophy (for the largest number of u12 entries).

Class winners were:
Class 9 (Sen K2) - Sienna Payne & William Stroud (CLM)
Class 8 (K1 Open) - Keith Moule (CLM)
Class 7 (Vet M K1) - Doug Herbert (CLM)
Class 6 (u18 M K1) - Ali Kabeer (WOK)
Class 5 (u16 M K1) -  Jack Rayment (LBZ)
Class 4 (16+ K1 & Adv C1) - Rachael Hampton (CLM)
Class 3 (u16 K2) - Naomi Fuller & Tara Karthikeyan (CLM)
Class 2 (u16 F K1)  - May Perrin (CLM)
Class 1 (TC2) - Barry Howe & Christopher Page (CAM)
Class Blue (u14 M K1) - Matteo Bose (CLM)
Class Red (u14 F K1 & C1) - Rebecca Perrin (CLM)
Class GP - Tim Chamberlin (CLM)
Class Yellow (u12 K1) - Noah Nobbs (NOR)

While it seems unlikely (though not impossible!) for any club to overtake Chelmsford at this stage and take home the Winter Series Trophy, the positions of several other clubs are so close that the second and third places are very much up for grabs. The outcome of the Dick Grieve competition will also hinge crucially on the outcome of the final race, scheduled for Leighton Buzzard on 29 January.

See

• the full race results on the Winter Series results page
• a few other photos of the race on Google Photos
  

The turnout for race three at Chelmsford was lower than usual (thanks to the high prevalence of Covid) but, for those who were able to make it, having fewer boats in the event may have made things a little more pleasant in the channels through the town, where the water easily becomes choppy.

The senior K2 race consisted of only 10 boats for a change, and there was also a surprisingly small field of just three competitors in the u18/Sen/Vet ladies race. However, some other classes were particularly well-represented, including the Vet Men (18 boats), Touring C2s (5), GPs (5) and u12s (8).

Class winners were:
Class 9 (Senior K2/MC2) - Matthew Johnson & Leah Falltrick (CLM)
Class 8 (K1 Open) - Tim Gannicott Porter (CLM)
Class 7 (Vet M K1) - Doug Herbert (CLM)
Class 6 (u18 M K1) - Adam Baker (LBZ)
Class 5 (u16 M K1) -  Ali Kabeer (WOK)
Class 4 (16+ K1 & Adv C1) - Leanne Brown (BAD)
Class 3 (u16 K2) - Naomi Fuller & Tara Kathikeyan (CLM)
Class 2 (u16 F K1)  - Sienna Payne (CLM)
Class 1 (TC2) - Adrian Pyke & Graham Ellis (CAM)
Class Blue (u14 M K1) - Cassian Payne (CLM)
Class Red (u14 F K1 & C1) - May Perrin (CAM)
Class GP - Lilly Stratford (CLM)
Class Yellow (u12 K1) - Matteo Bose (CLM)

Chelmsford was the overall wining club, with Stortford second and Cambridge third. The full race results are on the Winter Series results page and some photos of the race on Flickr here.

The final race of this series will take place on 23 January at Leighton Buzzard. As well as all the usual medals for racing on the day, there will also be the presentation of the end of season awards for first, second and third place in each class, and the perpetual trophies across a host of categories.

To see how you are doing in the series, check out the class results so far on the WS results page. Because there have only been four races this season, awards will be made on the basis of your best three scores, and as always you must have taken part in three races to be eligible.

The event was notable for several close finishes. Tim Gannicott-Porter came in just 3 second behind Keith Moule to take silver in the K1 Open race, in his bid to become the first person in twenty years to claim the series trophy for this class other than Keith Moule or Danny Beazley.

There was an even closer photo-finish on the 5 mile course in the girls u16 K1 race between Hannah Gallagher (Gold, 47:41) and Franchesca Williamson (Silver, 47:42).

Wokingham's Ali Kabeer continues to battle it out with Cambridge's Rupert Tideswell for dominance of the Boys U14 K1 class, Ali taking the gold on this occasion.

Chelmsford's Sienna Payne (u16 girls) and Cassian Payne (u12s) each clocked up their fourth consecutive win in their respective classes. The mixed u12s class was particularly well supported, with a total of 15 entries.

Class winners were:
Class 9 (Senior K2) - James Walkinton & Will Stroud (CLM)
Class 8 (K1 Open) - Keith Moule (CLM)
Class 7 (Vet M K1) - Mike Martin (LZB)
Class 6 (u18 M K1) - David Gurney (CLM)
Class 5 (u16 M K1) -  Sebastian Tideswell (CAM)
Class 4 (16+ K1) - Emma Russell (CLM)
Class 3 (u16 K2) - Joseph Galliers & Ollie Power (LBZ)
Class 2 (u16 F K1)  - Hannah Gallagher (IND)
Class 1 (TC2) - Andy Porter & Blaize Green (CLM)
Class Blue (u14 M K1) - Ali Kabeer (IND)
Class Red (u14 F K1) - Sienna Payne (CLM)
Class GP - Mo Moule (CLM)
Class Yellow (u12 K1) - Cassian Payne (CLM)

The medals were presented by Chelmsford's Emma Russell who is a member of the GB Sprint Team.

The event was won by the host club with Leighton Buzzard second and Bishops Stortford third.

The full race results are on the Winter Series results page. There are also a few photos of the race on Flickr, and you can also experience the race in video from the K2 paddled by Chris Sze and Richie Winstanley on You-Tube.

Thanks to some inconveniently located nesting  swans, the distances for the K1 heats were curtailed to 300m and 100m, but this did have the advantage of concentrating the racing to the stretch in front of the clubhouse and making a good spectacle for those watching from the bank.

After lunch there was a demonstration K4 race between some of Chelmsford's own paddlers. The day was rounded off by a relay event between teams drawn up on the basis of the morning's results, although not itself contributing to the class awards, this event proved very popular with almost everyone staying to take part and getting caught up in the excitement.

Class winners were:
u10 girls: Libby Gaulton (BSF)
u12 girls: May Perrin (CLM)
u12 boys: John Morris (HYM)
u14 girls: Sienna Payne (CLM)
u14 boys: Jamie McAdam (HYM)
u16 girls: Kathryn Comben (CLM)
u16 boys: Jonathan Pirmuhamedov (CLM)
u18 boys: David Gurney (BSF)
Sen Ladies: Catherine Robinson (BSF)

Class winners were:
Class 9 (Senior K2) - Emma Russell & William Stroud (CLM)
Class 8 (K1 Open) - Keith Moule (CLM)
Class 7 (Vet M K1) - Doug Herbert (CLM)
Class 6 (u18 M K1) - Max Pickering (LBZ)
Class 5 (u16 M K1) -Jonathan Pirmuhamedov (CLM)
Class 4 (16+ K1 & Adv C1) - Octavia Abbott (BSF)
Class 3 (u16 K2 & MC2) - Chris Blackmore & Jack Skippings (CLM)
Class 2 (u16 F K1)  - Kathryn Comben (CLM)
Class 1 (TC2) - Lee Menday & Les Thompson (IND)
Class Blue (u14 M K1) - Louis Jacq (CAM)
Class Red (u14 F K1 & C1) - Sienna Payne (CLM)
Class GP - Oliver Lancashire (CLM)
Class Yellow (u12 K1) - Rupert Tideswell (CAM)

The Chelmsford Regatta, postponed from due to the snow back in March, finally went ahead in September. But the organisers again found themselves watching the weather forecasts intently, with fierce storms predicted. In the end the event was able to go ahead, but in low temperatures and persistent heavy raid rain. This did not stop 46 determined paddlers from turning out for the event.

Due to heavy weed growth the races had to be moved to a distance from the clubhouse, adding to the difficulties faced by the marshals and spectators. By the time the K1 races were completed the younger competitors were beginning to feel the cold and it was decided to wind the event up early and let everyone get off home.

The class winners on the day were:
u10 Girls - Libby Gaulton (BSF)
u10 Boys - Cally Da Silva (HYM)
u12 Girls - Sienna Payne (CLM)
u12 Boys - Rupert Tideswell (CAM)
u14 Girls - Imogen Hunter (CAM)
u14 Boys - Sebastian Tideswell (CAM)
u16 Girls - Imogen Hill (CLM)
u16 Boys - Ben Clayton-Harris (LEE)
u18 Boys - Finn O'Brien (LEA)
u23 Men - Lochlan Chamberlin (CLM)
Sen Ladies - Catherine Sanderson (LBZ)
Sen Men - Sean Woodley (CLM)

The medals will be presented at the Chelmsford Hasler, together with the awards for the summer series as a whole.

The winners of the classes across the whole of the FRA Summer Series were:
u10 Girls - Libby Gaulton (BSF)
u10 Boys - Henry Fry (LEA)
u12 Girls - Nichole Pirmuhamedov (CLM)
u12 Boys - Jack Rayment (LBZ)
u14 Girls - Franchesca Williamson (CLM)
u14 Boys -Jason Dockerill (CLM)
u16 Girls - Kathryn Comben (CLM)
u16 Boys - Ben Clayton-Harris (LEE)
u18 Girls - Lexie White (BSF)
u18 Boys - Finn O'Brien (LEA)
u23 Men - Lochlan Chamberlin (CLM)
Sen Ladies - Catherine Robinson (BSF)
Sen Men - Ashley Townsend (LBZ)

A team from the Royal Hospital School swelled the numbers of the K2 and C2 classes, and took 4th place overall as well as ​coming second to Chelmsford on Dick Grieves points (based on performance by novice juniors only). ​Chelmsford CC were the overall winners, B Stortford CC second and Barking & Dagenham CC third. 

The full individual and team results can be seen on the WS Results page. Find out how you are doing in the series overall by checking the cumulated class points. But remember that in order to be eligible for a series trophy you must have competed in three races, and that when calculating your total at the end of the series, only your best 5 races count!

The next race will be at Leighton Buzzard on 21 January - see L.Buzzard race information page.