WS 2025-26 Race 5: Chelmsford results

After a couple of weeks of extremely cold temperatures which saw many rivers around the region iced up, there was a risk that the race might have to be postponed. However, slightly warmer temperatures  and rain in the days leading up to the race cleared the ice from the River Can which runs through Chelmsford, and there was sufficient flow to ensure that even sub-zero temperatures on Saturday night did not cause it to re-freeze.

The organisers took the precaution of adjusting the course to make a larger number of shorter loops, in order to keep the competitors away from the furthest and most treacherous part of the course. Even so, the conditions in the narrow channel were extremely choppy, with a tight turn at the far end.

Unsurprisingly, the turnout was lower than usual for this race, with just 89 paddlers taking part. 

The classes for the shortest distance set off at 11am and when those races were completed, the middle and long distance courses started at 12:00.

Chelmsford's volunteers worked hard throughout the day, both to marshal the race and provide the very welcome hot food. Particularly thanks are due to the on-water safety marshals who remained on duty throughout the whole event. 

Class winners were:
Class 1 (K2 16+ M) - James Doran & James Walkinton (CLM)
Class 2 (K2 16+ Mixed) - Kerry Tubby & Ben Tubby (BSF)
Class 3 (K2 16+ F) - Gayle McKeand & Sienna Payne (CLM)
Class 4 (Marathon C2) - Barry Howe & Philip Hyde (CLM)

Class 5 (K1 Sen M) - Tim Gannicott-Porter (CLM)
Class 6 (K1 Sen F) - Lauren Avery (CLM)
Class 7 (K1 Vet M) - Chris Cheyne (CLM)
Class 8 (K1 Vet F) - Leanne Jordan (MAI)
Class 9 (K1 u18 M) - Cassian Payne (CLM)
Class 10 (K1 u18 F) - Rebecca Perrin (CLM)
Class 20 (K1 SuperVet M) - Robert Molnar (WEY)
​Class 21 (K1 SuperVet F) - Karen Wiemer (CAM)
Class 22 (K2 u16) -  Kipp Chughtai & Alessio Bose (CLM)
Class 23 (K1 u16 M) -  Nielsen Kasper (CLM)

Class 24 (K1 u16 F) -  Olivia Logie-Simpson (CLM)
Class 25 (C1 Adv) - Ross Pearton (HEM)
Class 31 (K1 u14 M) - Marco Mangiantini (ROY)
Class 32 (K1 u14 F) - Edith Smerdon (CLM)
Class 34 (GP 16+ M) - Chris Sharp (NOR)
Class 35 (GP 16+ F) - Deborah Wilkes (CLM)
Class 36 (GP u16 M) - Thomas Ross (CLM)
Class 38 (K1 u12 M) - Elliott Kasperaitis (CLM)
Class 39 (K1 u12 F) - Emily Hubbard (CLM)
Class 40 (K1 Open) - Anders Nielsen (CLM)

The following people have received divisional promotions: Leanne and Aaron Jordan (MAI) have both been promoted to Div 3, and Chelmsford CC members Harry Boggis, Lauren Avery, Joel Auvray, Simona Adonia and Asher Bara have all been promoted to Div 4.

Towards the end of the race a wind whipped up, and rain threatened, but held off  for the prizegiving.

The event was won by Chelmsford CC (100 points), with Cambridge CC second (58) and Leighton Buzzard CC third (55).  In the Dick Grieve competition for novice juniors (Div 9 and below), Chelmsford were also the victors  (40 points), Leighton Buzzard CC second (10) and Bishops Stortford third (9).

See

• the full race results (including series results) on the Winter Series results page 
• some photos can be seen here as a Google album
  

The next race will be at Leighton Buzzard scheduled for Sunday 25th January (or 1 February if river conditions necessitate a postponement).