WS 2024-25 Race 3: Cambridge results

Since they joined the series in 2018, Cambridge has always been one of the most popular venues. This race did not disappoint, with a great turnout of 141 competitors from 14 different clubs. This was the largest number of paddlers at any Winter Series race post-covid, despite constant rain throughout.

The event was particularly notable for the number of canoes which participated. Five MC2s competed on the 5-mile course, and three TC2s on the 3-mile course.

The singles equivalents were equally popular, with a record eight entries in the C1/SUP classes, all but one of them taking the longer 5-mile option, including the two SUPs.

Class winners were:
Class 1 (K2 16+ M) - Almir Balla & Serhii Pavlyshyn (BAD)
Class 2 (K2 16+ Mixed) - Matthew Johnson & Leah Falltrick (CLM)
Class 3 (K2 16+ F) - Sienna Payne & Lauren Avery (CLM)
Class 4 (Marathon C2) - Mike Thornton & Shirine Voller (LBZ)
Class 5 (K1 Sen M) - Tim Gannicott-Porter (CLM)
Class 6 (K1 Sen F) - Leanne Brown (MAI)
Class 7 (K1 Vet M) - Mark Hampton (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)
​Class 20 (K1 SuperVet M) - Ben Tubby (BSF)
​Class 21 (K1 SuperVet F) - Karen Wiemer (CAM)

Class 22 (K2 u16) - Edith Smerdon & Olivia Logie-Simpson (CLM)
Class 23 (K1 u16 M) -  Ewan Bates (LBZ)
Class 24 (K1 u16 F) -  Rebecca Perrin (CLM)
Class 25 (C1 Adv) - George Bell (FLA)
Class 30 (Touring C2) - Andy Porter & Dean Williams (CLM)
Class 31 (K1 u14 M) - Jasper Kirtland (BSF)
Class 32 (K1 u14 F) - Freya Bentley (CLM)
Class 33 (C1 Novice) - Sandra Poeschmann (CAM)
Class 34 (GP 16+ M) - Chris Sharp (NOR)
Class 34 (GP 16+ F) - Deborah Wilkes (CLM)
Class 38 (K1 u12 M) - Conor Bates (LBZ)
Class 39 (K1 u12 F) - Summer Norford (BSF)
Class 40 (K1 Open) - Ian Birch (CLM)

There was also a good turnout of u12 Boys at this race (10 entries). The biggest class of all though was the K1 Open - a new class being trialled for this season on the 3-mile course, which attracted 12 entries.

The home team turned out in force, bringing Cambridge CC their second successive Second place behind Chelmsford CC. Bishops Stortford CC were third. The Dick Grieve points (for unranked juniors) followed the same pattern.

Promotions have been awarded to Alessio Fiacco, Simon Margot, Paula Paredes Vergara, Karen Weimer,  Henry Ibberson, Isabella Quaglia Stegmann, and Shanzheng Tan (all CAM), Isabel Green (HEM), Martin Shirley (EAL), Ewan Bates (LBZ), Rohaan Seshan (CLM), Rebecca Perrin (CLM), George Bell (FLA), and Rob Passmore (TON). Well done all!

This race brings us to the half-way point in the series, and points are accumulating towards the trophies for the various classes. Anyone who has taken part in at least three races during the season is eligible for a 1st/2nd/3rd place award, and the overall winner of each class (except Class 40) can take home the class shield/cup for a year. Assuming that all six of the scheduled races take place, the score for each paddler/crew will be calculated from their best five scores across the series.

See

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

The next race will see the Winter Series return to Barking for the first time since 2017! The race will be on Sunday 15th December. The online entry system is already open and will close on Friday 13th November.