Category: News

BQA 2017 Annual Report

Jean Ashley

With the end of 2017 fast approaching you can look back at our Race Season and reflect on what a great one it has been! The BQA have had our AGM, and BQA members have had all the news and plans for moving forwards in 2018, our events have been finalized. We now have a new website, thanks to Nicola Perrins Ti-Visual Ltd, who is also a First Time Deva Divas Quadrathlete! We still have quite a bit of updating after a major crash, but its starting to look good!

Here is the Annual Report and BQA AGM Minutes

BQA-Annual-Report 2017

BQA-AGM 2017

If anyone has any suggestions to help move the BQA forwards in the future, please contact Jean. malpasashleys@btinternet.com

Kayak Triathlon Training

Jean Ashley

John Kavanagh will be running another series of Kayak Triathlons as training sessions over the winter. The dates planned are Nov 26th, Jan 14th, Feb 25th, Mar 25th, Apr 22 – all Sundays.
The plan is to start at 9:30 with a 5km paddle out and back (going North) followed by a 22km bike ride on the local roads and then a 6km run out and back along the Middlewood Way.
Anyone is welcome to join him on the understanding that this is not a club organised event, just a group going out together with everyone responsible for themselves and their kit.

Start and finish is the Canal at Grimshaw Lane, Bollington, parking at the Adelphi Mill. N.B. there are no toilets, changing facilities, or transition areas. I use my car to store my boat and bike while not being used.
I will aim to arrive at 9:00 and paddle up and down around the start area till 9:30. If you want to join in and do not know the cycle route (same as previous years), let me know. I can send a route map or will ride with anyone not familiar with the course. It is not intended to be a race simulation, just a hard training session of about 2hrs or so.

John will post an update on our BQA Facebook page a few days before each date to confirm go ahead or propose weather associated adjustments.

 

2017 National Trophy Champions

Admin

The Men’s National Trophy was wide open going into the last race of the season, Bude Awesome Foursome was going to be a very competitive race and places were fought right to the very end! The Overall Men’s winner and Vet 40 and 50 all depended on the Bude Results! The Ladies Champions had been decided at the Shrewsbury Quad along with the Male Vet 60. Well Done to all our BQA Quadrathletes that raced over this season, and we welcome many new members, especially all our first timers at the ‘Deva Divas’, and of course our ‘QuadKidz’ the athletes of the future!

Congratulations to our 2017 Winners, who showed commitment and raced well all season!

Full Trophy 2017 Results 17-b-trophy

MEN Overall Winner Perpetual Trophy Male Julian Brewer

Vet 40 Male Alan Cole 

Vet 50 Male Cliff Odgers (role down as Julian Brewer won Overall Trophy)

Vet 60 Male John Kavanagh

WOMEN Overall Winners Perpetual Trophy Female Helen Russell

U23 Female Louise Beedham

Vet 40 Female Sallie Joseph (role down as Helen Russell won Overall Trophy)

Vet 50 Female Jean Ashley

Vet 60 Female Mary White

No prizes were awarded to Seniors or U23 Male athletes as no one had completed 3 races this year.

Team Otto at World Champs!

The Eric Hatliff Memorial Trophy awarded each year ‘For Endeavor’. This year it was given to Gill Otto for her enthusiasm and commitment to the sport of Quadrathlon.  She has been a BQA member for many years representing GB at the World Quadrathlon Championships in the Czech Republic 2008 along with her son ‘Quintan’ and daughter ‘Lucy’. Once Gill finished competing in Quads she channeled her energy into instigating the brilliant Shrewsbury Quadrathlon along side the Shrewsbury Tri, this race goes from strength to strength each year with Gill encouraging many new members to take up our sport. She has has been an inspiration to many especially those newcomers to our sport, she continues to motivate many especially at her canoe club. I am certainly looking forward to seeing Gill race again next year in the ladies only Deva Divas, where once again she’ll be encouraging her friends to train in preparation! Well Deserved Gill!

This season 59 males and 38 female athletes took part in the series, 10 less men than last year but 10 extra females! It was good to see plenty of first timers and great to see commitment from our BQA members, plenty of top class racing from our age groupers and elite athletes too. We’ve had plenty more Women race this year, and hopefully the increase in competitors will continue next year. The BQA hope everyone enjoyed their quad season and will be back for more challenges and races next year, please tell your friends and help spread the word!

All of our Quad Races this year have been superbly organized by enthusiastic ‘Teams’ of like minded people and athletes, all enjoyed by the competitors ! A Huge thank-you for their commitment, affiliation fees and for providing us with great races with the Aim to Keep our Small Friendly Sport ALIVE! The BQA help to promote these races and supply the Race insurance so its vital we have YOUR support! A Big THANK-YOU to all our quadrathletes and especially the 2017 BQA members, we really appreciate your memberships and love to see you all racing at as many races you can fit into your diary!

Jean Ashley

Julian Brewer

Julian Brewer

Helen Russell

Helen Russell

Alan Cole

Alan Cole

Cliff Odgers

Cliff Odgers

Jean Ashley

Jean Ashley

Mary White

Mary White

Trophy Points going into the last Sunset of the Season .. BUDE 2017!!!

Admin

Its been a great season for British and World Quadrathlon this year, our races have been buzzing and we’ve see plenty of athletes joining the ‘flock’! So lets hope there will be plenty of you at Bude for the last race of the season, where the overall Men’s Trophy and age group prizes will be decided!

The ladies have been racing hard this year and the numbers have been high, so the National trophy results were finalized at Shrewsbury … so come on chaps its your turn to get those valuable points at the Awesome Foursome in Bude 16th September, entries are still open!     The great thing about this race is its on a Saturday so plenty of time for sun, sand and surf too! Simon from Shoreline Activities, along with his family and friends from Bude, have been running this race for many years, they turn out year in year out always with big smiles and open arms to meet us all. Its great to support them, so make sure you get your entry in (Individual or Team) and lets keep this Great Race ALIVE… See you in Bude!

Applications on-line or by post. Postal application form attached.

2017 Awesome Foursome      shorelineactivities.co.uk/foursome.quadrathlo

 

 

Quadkidz are here to Stay!

Admin

We launched ‘Quadkidz’ at Dearne Valley and it was so good to see those youngsters taking part in the first ever Junior Quadrathlon. We had lots of excellent feedback and the young athletes really enjoyed the challenge, so much so, the BQA asked Mark Pryor at very short notice to add a junior race to his Box End Quadrathlon, so big thanks to Quadrac Racing for giving us the opportunity to put on another race!

It fitted in perfectly and the juniors were included in the Sprint quad, doing a 200m swim, 2.2m kayak, 5km bike and a 2.2 run, a tough but safe off road course for these budding athletes! The eldest athlete 14yrs Max Underwood Frost (Lincsquad) was first home in 48.56, a good strong performance and finishing very well! The Joseph boys (Lincsquad) were out in force too, Ewan 11yrs came next 56.41 a good consistent effort staying focused and strong to the finish! . The two nine year olds did brilliantly, as this course was hard, but both of them dug deep and finished very well, Hermione Ball (Wrexham Tri) struggled in an over sized kayak but she got round, she loved the bike and I caught her smiling and waving to me when I saw her on the run, she finished in 1.19.53. Young Henry took it all in his stride and just kept going all the way, on the odd little rest he recharged his batteries and didn’t give up … I saw him a few times and it was certainly inspirational to see him pushing to the end 1.33.20. Well Done QuadKidz ……….. Just Brilliant and great to see them all on the podium!

We have set up a Points Series, this year we only have 2 races suitable for juniors – under 14. These are the results from the 2 Races this season quadkidz 2017.1

To celebrate the launch of Quadkidz the 3 juniors that did both races received a Quadkidz Kit bag … A Big Well done to Ewan, Hermione and Henry, and also well done to Max on winning Box End!

Lincsquad have a Junior Section ‘Squadlets’ and they are working on a training day with a possibility of a junior race in the future! The BQA are also looking into getting some second hand Lightning childrens kayaks, which will be available at Quadkidz races …. So watch this space ….. Exciting times ahead!

2017 BQA Standings after Race 3

Admin

The Race is certainly on in the Men’s National Trophy Series after 3 races its still wide open! At the moment Cliff Odgers is in the lead, closely followed by John Kavanagh and Andrew Lawson. Lance Ball is leading Vet 40, Cliff Vet 50 (roll down Andrew Lawson) and John Kavanagh Vet 60. There are several athletes that could certainly change the standings if they do the last 2 races! Chasing the leaders are Julian Brewer, after a strong win at Box End, Phil Holden, Pete Chappill and Nigel Leeson … so the race is on!

The Ladies Trophy has already been decided as Helen Russell has won 3/3 with only 2 races left no one can match her score. Vet 40 will role down to Sallie Joseph, Vet 50 Jean Ashley and Vet 60 Mary White. But I never like to think its over until the last race, but it in the ladies event it might just be!

Shrewsbury Quadrathlon is now full so if you need vital points and you’ve not entered make sure you take a trip to Bude and enter the Awesome Foursome … as ever it will live up to its name!

 

 

2017 World Cup Success at Brilliant Box End

Admin

World Cup Success for Europeans, GB athletes and for all Quadrathletes accross the age groups 11yrs to 67yrs!!

A Big Thanks to Mark Pryor and his Quadrac Team for organizing a brilliant World Cup Race at Box End Water Park. We woke up to blue skies and warm sunshine, though a bit breezy, it was ideal race conditions as the ground was dry and hard for the off road bike and run section.

It was a good turnout, and great to see top class athletes from Europe and GB sharing the same race course as the junior ‘QuadKidz’! We had lots of first timers and as always our regular BQA athletes which are the back bone of our great sport!

We had 2 athletes from Europe ‘Tom Svobod’ (CZ) and ‘Ricardo Novel’ (ESP), they came over for vital world cup points and left a great impression on our top athletes, both having outstanding races. Tom had very fast swim (08:10) coming in 2 and half minutes ahead of Helen Russell (10.41). Over a minute later there was a group of top age groupers, Nigel Leeson, John Kavanagh, Jacqueline Davis, Cliff Odgers John Durrant, Ricardo and U23 Billy Fadden, this made it a very hectic transition heading out onto the kayak session.

Tom was well ahead, and although he hasn’t been kayaking very long he made his borrowed stable K1 fly through the water doing the 2nd fastest kayak split (26:38). Ricardo soon pulled away from the others showing us how strong he is in the kayak producing the fastest time (26.02). It was 4 laps, a headwind  down, tailwind back, but very choppy across the top, this lead to quite a few capsizes, but all got back in with a smile! The good kayakers showed their skills coping with the wind and waves and moved up the field, newcomer Ewan Cox put in a fast time (27.05) with John Kavanagh (29.40). the next fastest were the ladies newcomer Alice Clarkson (30.23) and Jean Ashley (30.32). During the 4 laps the race started to unfold with Tom still in the lead going onto the bike, Ricardo 2nd. After a few minutes the next lot of athletes went out onto the bike, there was certainly going to be a battle for the top places as they were all very close. John K.  Cliff O. John D. (despite his capsizes) Ewan C. Nigel L. were all going to have to work very hard to hold there positions on the bike!

The bike was cross country 3 laps (5km laps), hard fast grass, flat at first and then undulating, with a short sharp hill and some long slopes up and down. It made a real interesting challenge and proved to be ideal for cross bikes. Tom kept his lead and was the fastest (35.44) Ricardo working hard but making no ground on Tom remained 2nd. Meanwhile places were being challenged as newcomer Nick Farnell moved up the field with the 2nd fastest split (39.32) and Julian Brewer (42.53) both moved past the others to start looking for that 3rd podium place! Young U23 Billy was also making up great time until a major mechanical stopped him, he had to run back to transition pushing his bike.

Nothing could stop Tom on the run, as he headed out for 1 5km lap of the bike course, again the fastest run (18.16) he went on to a clear win in 1.30.32. Ricardo also ran very well (21.38) to finish 2nd 1.41.01. Russel B. remained strong and took 3rd place, (1.52.20) this was a great achievement for Russel our first GB Athlete home and his first World Cup podium place! Nick F. came 4th (1.53.02) with young Billy having the 2nd fastest run of the day (20.34) to take 5th   (1.53.16) just beating John D. to 6th (1.53.24).

In the ladies race Helen Russell was 1st out of the swim with Jacqueline Davis a minute behind. Helen just stayed ahead in the kayak, with Jean Ashley paddling well to overtake Jacqueline moving into 2nd place. Helen went out onto the bike just 15 seconds ahead of Jean, but with Helen’s biking strength she stayed in the lead. Jean peddling a cross bike for the first time held 2nd place, with Jacq working hard to try and catch her. Meanwhile Mary White our amazing Vet 60 started to catch up as she put in the 2nd fastest ladies bike split! Helen ran well to take the win (1.56.53.). Jean was pushing as hard as she could on the run, as she was being chased down by newcomer Alice Clarkson. Alice overtook Jean on the final run in and I’m really pleased to say she’s now a Quadrathlon Convert and we will be most certainly be seeing her again! Alice 2nd (2.01.30) Jean 3rd (2.01.59) Jacq held onto 4th (2.06.27) and Mary 5th (2.07.20).

As ever race day isn’t only about the winners, it was so good to see lots of ‘first timers’ enjoying the challenge, especially new ladies smiling all the way! Throughout the whole race there was constant encouragement shared between athletes, friendly banter and certainly plenty of Feel Good Factor and Quadrathlon Passion being shared. Great to see clubs ‘Lincsquad’ and ‘MADCC’ supporting this race on mass!

I want to say a Big Thank-you to Mark Pryor for sticking by me and putting on the 2nd ‘QuadKidz’ race of the year! It was a last minute plan after the success of Dearne Valley Quad and it fitted perfectly into the main race.The juniors were inspirational, it’s a tough course for them! Plenty of us cheered them along as we raced, they certainly had to dig deep at times, but they and they all finished, with a smile and a huge sense of Achievement!

So good to see them out there, we are all proud of you …. And lets watch Quadkidz grow and grow, exciting times ahead for our juniors!

Results MENS

1st Tom Svoboda (CZ) – 1.30.32

2nd Ricardo Noval (ESP) – 1.41.01

3rd Julian Brewer (Vet 50) – 1.52.20

Vet 40 John Durrant – 1.53.24

Vet 50 (roll down) Nick Farnell – 1.53.02

Vet 60 John Kavanagh – 2.03.55

U23 Billy Fadden – 1.53.16

LADIES

1st Helen Russell (Vet 40) – 1.56.53

2nd Alice Mary Moore Clarkson – 2.01.30

3rd Jean Ashley (Vet 50) – 2.01.59

Vet 40 (roll down) Sallie Joseph – 2.20.30

Vet 50 (roll down) Jacqueline Davies – 2.06.27

Vet 60 Mary White – 2.07.20

U23 Louise Beedham – 2.45.01

Full Results Quadrathlon Box End 2017_07_02

QuadKidz

1st Max Underwood-Frost (14yrs)  – 48.56

2nd Ewan Joseph (12yrs)  – 56.41

3rd Hermione Ball (11yrs)  – 1.19.53

4th Henry Joseph (11yrs) 1.33.20

Once again a Big Thank-you to Mark Pryor, Quadrac Racing Team, marshals, all helpers and Box End Water Park for giving us this great race, they certainly did British Quadrathlon Proud by organizing this event, so thanks again Mark and Jill! Also thanks to Phil Holden for bringing his ‘Mobile Podium’ really added that special touch to the prize giving … Thanks!! 

It’s very good of the WQF to give us 2 World Cup races in the year, and we hope our European Athletes enjoyed our race and hospitality please spread the news and come back again!

Also a big thank-you to all YOU Quadrathletes that supported the race too, hope you had a great day, you chased your goals, loved the experience ….  and you’ll be back for more next year!

Congratulations to all our other BQA Members that raced!

MENS – 9th Nigel Leeson – 1.55.53

10th Cliff Odgers – 1.58.45

11th Russell Breyer – 2.00.30

13th Peter Chappill – 2.04.22

15th Ken Lovett – 2.07.38

16th Michael Toomey – 2.07.46

17th Lance Ball – 2.09.14

LADIES – 8th Margaret Huyton – 2.26.08

9th Donna Chappill – 2.27.57

10th Mandy Greenaway – 2.28.10

 

 

2017 BQA National Trophy Points

Admin

We have just seen the 2nd Quadrathlon in our National Trophy Series … and we have 7 athletes that have competed in the first 2 races, 3 male and 4 female. Cliff Odgers (Frome/BQA) is in 1st, John Kavanagh MADCC/BQA  2nd and Andrew Lawson (Lincsquad) 3rd.

In the ladies event we have Helen Russell (WorcesterCC/BQA) in 1st, Jean Ashley (Chester Tri/BQA) 2nd and Jacqueline Davies (Frome/BQA) in 3rd and Sallie Joseph (Lincsquad in 4th)

Race 3 is Box End … make sure you enter … plenty of BQA points to be taken and also WQF points, so you will have a British ranking and a World ranking if you compete! What an amazing sport we take part in … Be Part of the Quadrathlon Family! 

Just to remind you all The BQA runs a National Trophy Series of 5 events which contributes points towards finding a National Champion, with the best three results for each individual to count. Trophies are awarded each year, provided each winner has done 3 races in the series, and must be a current BQA Member. (In the event of a tie the 4th race points will count to decide the winner)

Overall Winners Perpetual Trophy for Male and Female. BQA Kit vouchers for winners Male and Female in each age category, Juniors (u23), V40+ V50+. V60+ V70+ (Role down if the overall winner is an age group athlete)
Eric Hatliff Memorial Trophy awarded each year ‘For Endeavor’ given to an athlete showing his enthusiasm and commitment to the sport of Quadrathlon.

 

 

 

Everyone’s a Winner at Dearne Valley Quad 2017

Admin

What a brilliant day a Dearne Valley Quadrathlon, there was so much passion for our sport, with non stop smiles as juniors, first timers, and seasoned quadrathletes crossed the finish line! Organizer Mark Benton and his ‘Team’ of volunteers and marshals hosted a great race for us all, there enthusiasm and friendliness shone through, to make this event a huge success, thank -you you did your selves proud!

Well done to under 12’s Ewan Joseph (Lincsquad) winning the Boys and Hermione Ball winning the girls. Alanna Barron and Chris Thoday (Manvers Tri) in the under 15’s had a real battle, but it was Alanna’s kayaking skills that gave her the edge as she paddled very well into the lead, I’m sure they will both be back with even more determination and skill next year. A huge achievement to all that took part!

Results Quadkidz (ages 9 to 12):100m Swim, 2k Bike, 400m Kayak, 2km Run.
Ewan Joseph – 28:12

Hermione Ball – 33:33

Sophie Portess – 36:09

Henry Joseph – 42:28

Laura Portess – 52:12

Charlotte Clements – DNF

 

 

Results Quadkidz (ages 13 to 15):200m Swim, 4km Bike, 800m Kayak, 2km Run.
Alanna Barron – 35:00

Chris Thoday – 38:31

Fran Ball – 45:55

Matthew Portess – 50:35

After watching the juniors fly past, we were all motivated and ready to get going, the wind had picked up slightly but it was a warm and cloudy so a good temperature for racing, even though the water was a bit chilly at about 15 degrees. It was a real mixture of athletes racing 50 in total, with 28 doing the quad and 22 the Triathlon, we had 9 seasoned BQA Members and plenty of triathletes giving the quad a go for the first time, plus some amazing first timers new to racing but certainly looked like they had given everything and had a great time! It truly was and all-inclusive race, showing the onlookers what an amazing race Manvers Waterfront Boat Club had organized!

BQA members took the top 6 places – Helen Russell was first out of the swim and went onto the bike with a good lead. Cliff Odgers started to chase her down, but it wasn’t until the return leg of the bike course he over took her. The bike was off road and using part of the Trans Penne Trail which consisted of unmade tracks, despite it being muddy in parts it was ideal for cross bikes, as they proved to be the fastest over the course. Cliff went into the kayak first, followed by Helen, Jacquline Davies, John Kavanagh and Jean Ashley, there were a couple of other bikers in between but once they got in the kayaks the seasoned quadrathletes started to pull away. It had started to get a bit choppy in the wind which favored the stronger paddlers. Cliff held onto his lead in the kayak, and went into the run 1st with Helen not to far adrift. Jean in her strongest discipline the kayak, pulled back 2 and half minutes to catch Jacquline and John by the end of the paddle. Pete Chappill another BQA member had a good solid paddle overtaking a lot of paddlers in sea kayaks and plastic kayaks, they were all doing really well in the conditions, but having to work very hard in these smaller kayaks without rudders. Meanwhile on the run Helen took the lead from Cliff and went on to win in 1.45.42, Cliff ran well and finished 2nd in 1.46.24. Jacquline having a swift transition went out in 3rd place, but very close behind was Jean and John. John tried to hang on to Jean, but with the Long Course Quad still in his legs he had to drop back. Jean moved into 3rd finishing in 1.52.05, with John 4th just 15 seconds behind 1:52:20. Jacqueline held onto 5th 1:54:44 with Pete in 6th 1.57.44.

Other BQA members – 9th Lance Ball – 2.04.53

14th John Redmond – 2.07.54

It was also good to see Athletes racing from Lincqsquad, well done to first timers 7th Wayne Smith – 1.59.38, 11th Andrew Lawson – 2.06.05, 12th Sallie Joseph – 2.07.04, and a fantastic first time achievement to 26th Amanda Clements – 2.36.47.

It’s always good to perform well on race day, but the real Stars of the day were those first timers that gave it their all too, it was so good to see people from all walks of life participating, and to see those juniors taking on the challenge, every single one of them finishing with a great sense of achievement afterwards.

A huge thanks once again to Mark Benton and his support crew at Manvers Waterfront Boat Club, an excellent day full of ‘Firsts’ for many people, everyone finished safely and with a smile which were Mark’s wishes, so bask in your glory, keep training and we hope to see you all next year or maybe Box End Quadrathlon2nd July in Bedford!

A very special mention must go to John MacLeod our first ever Vet 70 competitor he finished  22nd in 2.24.32. In his younger days John was a GB Slalom Paddler and competed in the 1972 Summer Olympics in Munich. He successfully coached junior & senior GB kayak teams from 1979-1981 culminating in 7 medals being won by GB Team at the 1983 World Championships he worked through to the Barcelona Olympic Games and beyond, all voluntary. Within his coaching and management years, 8 World Championship GOLD medals have been awarded to GB team. In 2009 he was appointed as Canoe Manager for the London 2012 Olympic Games, and Rio 2016 responsible for both Canoe Sprint and Canoe Slalom, both events being extremely successful. John has been a key player in design and commissioning of both Nottingham (1987), Lee Valley (2011) canoe slalom courses, and the very lake you have all been competing on Manvers Lake! Well Done John you are now the number 1 GB Vet 70 QUADRATHLETE!!!

 

 

Top class racing at 2017 Long Distance Quad Křetinka (CZE)

Admin

After the last long distance quadrathlon in Hannover (GER), two years ago, the best athletes for this distance met in Lazinov, Křetinka (CZE). This was also the first long-distance race outside Germany since 2001, where the race was held in Prenzlau. John Kavanagh  was our only British athlete to race, and congraulations to him on finishing the Long course in very hot conditions. 4km swim – 90km bike – 20km kayak – 20km run in 10.03.27, taking the Vet 60 Championship title, well done John!

The names on the starting list promised an exciting race. Above all, the winner of the last four long-distance championships, Thoralf Berg (GER) wanted to defend his world title. Spaniard, Enrique Peces also wanted the title because this is the only World Championship distance that that he has yet to win. Similarly keen, was Leoš Roušavý, the Czech athlete, who has already won twice at this distance and this would be his home world championship. Also among the contenders for the podium were Dennis Möller (GER), Laurent Martinou (FRA) and David Jílek (CZE). Ferenc Cisma (HUN) would have been another hot favourite but he was not available as he has been in a collision with a car while cycle training (luckily, he is only slightly injured)An exciting race was therefore anticipated.

With clear blue skies promising a hot day and little wind it started at 8:15 with a long single 4km lap in the local reservoir. A leading group of Möller, Martinou, Jílek and Peces formed, with the Spaniard just off the pace of the leading three. Heading into transition for the first time, Roušavý had over 5 minutes deficit while Berg was another 10 minutes adrift.

The 90km cycle course consisted of a 6 x 15km laps. The surface was very good, the roads were closed to traffic and the gradients were never brutal. It was, however, not flat. About 1200m of climbing were accumulated as the day (and the racing) got hotter. Jílek had the fastest time and took the lead. Three minutes behind was Martinou with Möller only 2 minutes behind the Frenchman. About 12 minutes after the leader, the next strong group of Roušavý, Berg and Peces finished their cycling.

The final discipline was a challenging 20km running route. Four laps, starting with a short steep climb then undulating out to a turn to return. There was a feed station at the start of each lap and because of the high temperature (now over 30C) a water station had been added at the turn point. Möller set off 12 minutes ahead, but whether this would be enough was questionable as this was his weakest discipline. Peces and Berg caught and passed him but then Peces slowed up and had to retire in the third lap because of severe cramp. The conditions were taking their toll. By now the tarmac was melting and it was like running through treacle. This had its effect on Berg too, who was not as fast as usual. This was a chance for Roušavý, which he took advantage of, with a great run. By the end, he finished his home race as a new world champion. Berg hung on to finish in second place, closely followed by Jílek. Martinou, with fast run came in fourth.

Among the ladies, there was a duel between the two Czechians, Eliška Vondráčková and Radka Štýbnarová, with Vondráčková comfortably winning out in the end. Leading the way from the start, she continued to build her lead up to over an hour ahead. The previous champion, Lisa Teichert (and husband, Stefan) did not take part as her focus is on the shorter distances this year.

The relays also had a great race, with some outstanding performances. Six of the seven teams were faster than the individual’s winner. The fastest relay reached the finish line after only 5:41:04 hours, almost one and a half hours faster than Roušavý. Among the other competitors, as kayaker in a relay, Miroslav “Mr. Quadrathlon “Podborsky was there to display his skills again.

A big thank you goes to Pavel Knitl and his team who organised a great event. The task of putting on organizing a long distance quadrathlon is not easy and it was only the sixth long distance race since 2001.

by John Kavanagh

Emotional victory for Leoš Roušavý

Emotional victory for Leoš Roušavý

Hardest long distance for 20 years for Thoralf Berg

Hardest long distance for 20 years for Thoralf Berg

Strong performance also from David Jílek

Strong performance also from David Jílek

Laurent Martinou again only in fourth place

Laurent Martinou in fourth place

Fastest swim and kayak time: Dennis Möller

Fastest swim and kayak time: Dennis Möller

Radka Štýbnarová and Eliška Vondráčková

Radka Štýbnarová and Eliška Vondráčková

Results

Men

1. Leoš Roušavý (CZE) 07:08:55
2. Thoralf Berg (GER) 07:10:34
3. David Jílek (CZE) 07:11:13
4. Laurent Martinou (FRA) 07:17:41
5. Dennis Möller (GER) 07:22:59

Women

1. Eliška Vondráčková (CZE) 09:16:06
2. Radka Štýbnarová (CZE) 10:24:57