A Truley Awesome Foursome 2014
A Fantastic Race to finish the 2014 Season … the weather was kind with the sea a pleasant 17 degrees though a little choppy for us non sea swimmers! The surfers showed us the way with some very fast swim times from the Local surf Team members. There was very little wind and the conditions were warm … the only issue some were worried about was the daylight! It was a late start 3.30 due to the tide but everyone made it back just in time!
The Age group athletes were out in force the over 50’s being the biggest age groups male and female though the standard was high across the board with some excellent times and good clean racing! Local Andrew Smith, was out of the swim followed by some strong local swimmers, off on the bike the tough climbs would soon sort out the field. Chris Hammond powered around the course and moved into the lead, but hot on his heels were seasoned Quadrathletes Nigel Unwin and Ian Smith, plus Andrew Smith.
There were some fast bike times on the demanding course so it was down to some good strong paddling to split up the field. Nigel took the lead with Ian closing in. He took the lead it was a close paddle with Ian moving ahead with just a minuet in hand.
Ian ran well and extended his lead on the run and went on to win with just 1min 30secs to spare. Nigel came in 2nd with local triathlete Chris Hammond in 3rd place.
The standard of racing was high with some fast times, it was great to see a strong contingent of BQA athletes all producing good results – In the Vet 50 category Duncan Pearson came 3rd and is improving very well in his kayak. Russel Breyer and John Kavanagh had a great races coming 5th and 6th . Peter Chappill racing on his own, came 9th he can frequently be seen leading Jack Gardner (partially sighted). A huge improvement too from John Redmond, this was certainly the toughest race he’d done … and a fantastic achievement (sorry if I mislead him I did say the course was a bit undulating!!)
In the Vet 40 category BQA athlete Phil Holden was the highest placed, he finished with a big smile (as always) despite his capsize in the kayak … it did get a bit choppy as the wind blew up the canal. Julian Brewer came 7th and Lance Ball again new to the sport has had a full season had a good result in 8th place.
Our young BQA member Rob Jefferies (21yrs) has had a brilliant season too, he won his age group and also a World Cup Globe. Will Jackson (17yrs) also won his race and a World Cup Globe. Let’s hope they both continue to race Quadrathlon and keep raising the bar!
In the Ladies race, it was a lovely surprise to see ex World Quad Champion Helen Dyke on the start line, as before she was as good as ever taking the lead from the start. She swam well and had a strong bike, her weakest discipline also went fairly well …. And once Helen puts her running shoes on nobody can touch her, well done good to see her back! Newcomer to the sport Judith Humpleby was next out of the swim and local athlete Jess Lynes (both vet 50’s) both enjoying the sea. Ali Martin and Jean Ashley came next, once again the bike would sort out the placings. Ali moved into 2nd place, and hung onto that to the finish. Jean put in a strong kayak overtaking Judith and moved into 3rd. Mary White (vet 60) had another good solid race coming a very creditable 5th a superb result for her first year in Quadrathlon.
The only German starter was Peter Appelt, at 65 years old, he has completed his 10th Quadrathlon this year, he was second behind Tony Richards a newcomer to our sport along with along with Sue Rix, its very encouraging to see competitive racing in the over 60’s!
Once again it was great to see newcomers to our sport, and lots of teams in the event lets hope they enjoyed the race – its such a fantastic venue, I hope they will be back to support it again next year …. And maybe support our other Quadrathlons up and down the country!
A huge Thank-you to Simon Hammond and his Brilliant Family and Happy Team of Helpers! Once again you gave us all a great race, superb racing and superb conditions. Bude was buzzing with atmosphere … we certainly showed the town how to enjoy ourselves and impressed many onlookers. Big Thanks again from the BQA and the WQF to the Organizing Team the Quadrathlon certainly lived up to its name AWESOME …. get it in your diaries for next year 19th Sept … Be There!!!!
Men
1st Ian Smith (GBR) 2.48.46
2nd Nigel Unwin (GBR) 2.50.20
3rd Chris Hammond (GBR) 2.54.25
4th John Elliott (GBR) 3.03.37
5th Andrew Smith (GBR) 3.06.03
Women
1st Helen Dyke (GBR) 3.07.49
2nd Allison Martin (GBR) 3.30.19
3rd Jean Ashley (GBR) 3.37.33
4th Judith Humpley (GBR) 3.46.53
5th Mary White (GBR) 3.49.51
WORLD CUP FINAL STANDINGS http://www.quadrathlon-online.de/ergebnisse/2014/14-w-cup.pdf
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