A Sunshine Start to the Season The 2017 Brigg Bomber

Once again Lincsquad did us proud, and even organized the good weather this year! This race is always superbly organised, a credit to the club and to ‘Dave Hinch’ and his Race Organizing team, a Big Thank-You! They make everyone very welcome and the marshals have never ending smiles and encouragement for all the competitors. It was good to welcome two European athletes ‘the forever young’ Peter Appelt (GER) and Ricardo Noval (ESP), sadly Alvaro Villen (ESP) was due to be racing but was unfortunately knocked of his bike the week before, he came out of hospital over the weekend and is on quiet a long road to recovery, but we hope to see him back racing next Season. Sending you our Very Best wishes Alvaro!

The sun shone and the weather was just ideal for the first quadrathlon of the British Trophy Series, it was also our National championships and the third race in this year’s World Cup Series. This is a small market town in Lincolnshire, a particularly flat part of the UK so it makes for fast racing. The weather was perfect, little wind, dry and sunny. The recent warm weather meant that the river was warmer than in previous years so the swimming conditions were also good.

First out of the swim was newcomer to Quadrathlon Alan Cole (GBR) with  Michael Mason (GBR) 2nd followed closely by Helen Russell in 3rd. They had about a minute’s advantage over the following group. The Kayak section (7Km) was crucial as Michael,  Nigel Unwin (GBR) and particularly, Ricardo Noval (ESP) took a lot of time out of the rest of the field. Michael and Ricardo set of on their bikes neck-and-neck but from here on Michael steadily built up a strong lead with the fastest bike (35Km) and run (10Km) splits (2.31.47). Nevertheless, Ricardo, (2.41.58) followed by Nigel (2.48.00) were well clear of everyone else. Alan Cole finished in 5^th, (2.59.31) which was a great result for his first Quad, especially as he was paddling a heavy sea type kayak!

It was good to see excellent performances from other BQA Members which will lead to some tough competition in this year’s Trophy series. Well done to Phil Holden 8^th (3.02.03), Nigel Leeson 9^th  (3.06.28),  John Kavanagh 10^th (3.16.22),  and Cliff Odgers 13th (3.34.39).

In the women’s race, Helen Russell (GBR) was going well and ahead of all the others throughout, and went on to a solid win (3.02.13) , Jean Ashley (GBR) was very strong, as ever, pulling a bit of time back in the kayak. Jacqueline Davies (GBR) was 2^nd lady out of the swim however she lost time due to a capsize at the awkward kayak get in. Jean pulled away and maintained her lead on the bike and run to take 2^nd place (3.13.23). Jacqueline held on to 3^rd place comfortably, (3.19.52) with the amazing Mary White running a very solid 10km to close the gap slightly (3.25.56).

Again lots of female BQA members performing well, Victoria Price inspired by her Dad ‘Ned’ was pushing hard in 5^th (3.38.46) Donna Chappill 7^th (3.52.55) and back to defend her Youth title Louise Beedham in 8^th (4.05.19).

There were some very fast performances in the Team event, and some real battles along the way, the local Lincqsquad team won ‘Conn Menn’ (2.36.22) with strong opposition from Portsdown Hill CC, Southampton taking 2^nd, along way for them to come, but worth the trip having left with 2 prizes 2^nd overall (2.54.37) and fastest bike split! A special mention must go to ‘The Dream team’ the ladies who performed with the biggest smiles all the way round … in true Quadrathlon Spirit!

Once again a Big Thanks to Lincsquad and to all the Marshals for giving us a great race, and to all the athletes that took part, gave it their all and put our sport on the map …..  And become part of our unique ‘Quadrathlon Family’

Mens Overall Winners
1st Michael Mason National Champion (Vet 40) 2.31.47
2nd Noval Ricardo 2.41.58
3rd Nigel Unwin (Vet 50)

Age Group Winners
4th Jason Frary (role down Vet 40) 2.56.40
6th Julian Brewer (role down Vet 50) 3.00.00
10th John Kavanagh (Vet 60) 3.16.26
11th Simon Beedham (U23) 3.24.33

Ladies Overall Winners
1st Helen Russell National Champion (vet 40) 3.02.13
2nd Jean Ashley (Vet 50) 3:13:23
3rd Jacquline Davies (Vet 50) 3.19.52

Age Group Winners
4th Mary White (Vet 60) 3.25.56
5th Victoria Price (Senior ) 3.38.46
6th Sallie Joseph (role down Vet 40) 3.40.03
7th Donna Chappill (role down Vet 50) 3.52.55
8th Louise Beedham (Junior) 4.05.19

Plenty of National points to be won and also World Cup Points too!

Links to more photos Photos 1  Photos 2