GB team claims second place in Spanish International K4 Series

International Racing

Each year the towns of Sanabria and Valladolid organise a pair of international K4 races, over a distance of roughly 5km each. Over 60 K4s take part in a range of classes, with the international K4 class being the highlight.

This year, the Spanish organisers attracted eight international crews of the highest standard, to take on their top crew of Merchan, Alonso, Fernandez and Ruiz (who hold a selection of world marathon and sprint titles between them).

Racing against them were our GB crew of Tim Pendle (NOR), Andy Daniels (LON), Keith Moule (CLM) and Jon Simmons (WEY). The German crew included multiple Olympic medallist Andreas Ihle, and crews from Portugal, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Italy all contained proven medal winners.

The first race took place on 19th July in Valladolid, where the GB crew took third behind Spain and Germany. They went one better the next day in Sanabria, but were unable to stay with the Spanish crew and had to settle for the silver medal ahead of Portugal. These results gave them second overall for the series.

These athletes will all be contesting the National Championships at Worcester next month, and will be hoping to make the World Championship team for Oklahoma in September.

Marathon Racing Committee Elections – Nominations

Organisation

Any nominations for the MRC elections need to be received by the Secretary Diane Bates by the end of tomorrow (4th July)

4 of the current committee places are up for renewal at this year’s Annual Consultative Meeting (held on Saturday 23rd August at Worcester after the first day’s racing at the Nationals)

All you need to do at this stage is to indicate an desire to stand, supported with the names of 2 full BCU members who support your candidacy.

The MRC’s admin rules can be found here

World Championships – Further Boat Transport Update

International Racing

Details for loading and transporting the Oklahoma Worlds boats to Amsterdam for onward shipping  to the USA have now been determined.

The boats will be transported to Amsterdam on Monday 21 July.  There will be two main collection points :-

  1. Nottingham NWSC before 10.00am on Monday 21 July.  Boats may be delivered here earlier   but please contact David Enoch to arrange to meet and store the boats.  0115 933 2258 or david.enoch2@btopenworld.com
  2. Lee Valley White Water Centre  before 12.00 on Monday 21 July.  Boats may be dropped off  here on Saturday 19 July 08.00 – 20.00, Sunday 20 July 08.00 – 20.00 or Monday 21 July 08.00 – 12.00.

Access to Lee Valley White Water Centre is off Station Road, Waltham Cross.  Post code for the site is EN9 1AB.  The site is just off M25.  Access from the West via Jct 25 and from the East via Jct 26.  From the main gates follow the access road round to the main building where the drop-off point is.   The Lee Valley White Water website has info on the location or use Google maps and the Post Code.

The boats are to be dropped off at the main building and will be stored in the secure compound in boat racks – boats to be slid into the racks at side of building.  The Duty Managers are aware of these arrangements so if anyone needs any assistance they should ask for a Duty Manager.

The list of boats to be transported to Amsterdam will be circulated directly after the assessment race at Thames Valley on Sunday 13 July.   Please note that David Enoch will need the make, model and serial number for all the boats.  This information is needed by both the shipping agent and customs.  So do not drop off your boat without having first given him those details.

78th International Descent Of The River Sella

International Racing

For this year’s race entry is free for British Canoeing athletes intending to compete at the 78th International Descent of the River Sella on Saturday 9th August 2014  - Entry is Free this year

All International Entries for this race need to be endorsed by the relevant National Federation – British Canoeing.

Any British Canoeing athlete requiring an entry to the 78th International Descent of the River Sella will need to provide the following details to Andy Goodsell, by 17:00 on Monday 14th July 2013 –e-mail events@bcu.org.uk

please note NO entries will be accepted after this date/time.

1. Name, Date of Birth and BCU Membership Number – must be valid at the time of the race.
2. Which canoe club you belong to.
3. Which class you wish to enter.  (Veterans are advised to paddle the Senior race in order to give them a better starting position on the Le Mans type start). Juniors are 16-18, cadets under 16. Dates of birth will be required for Veterans, Junior or Cadet classes.
4. Your current Marathon Ranking Division (for this particular event a ranking of Division 6 or above would be recommended).

You will receive a letter stamped by British Canoeing confirming to the Spanish Race Organisers that you have British Canoeing’s approval to race at Sella and the other races in the series.  A team leader will shortly be appointed who has had previous experience of the event and will collect your race numbers and be the first point of contact should there be any problems.

If you want a preview of the beautiful chaos that is the Sella, check out this on-board YouTube video.