Category: News

BQA 2014 National Trophy Series

Admin

The BQA have confirmed Trophy Races for 2014, we may have 2 more to come I am awaiting news from West Wight Quad, and Manvers Waterfront Boat Club. But these are the dates so far –

25th May Brigg Bomber Quad – Nationals/World Cup Race

13th July Box End Sprint Quad

10th August Fabian 4 Conwy Mountain Triathlon –

A great video of this years Fabian4 Race Fabian4 Conwy Mountain Triathlon

31st August Shrewsbury Sprint Quad

20th September Awesome Foursome Bude Quad – World Cup Race

The World Cup Races, including venues for the Europeans and the World Championships are almost confirmed, we are just waiting on the Middle Distance World Championships! The information about these races can be found on our EVENTS page.

It would be great to get lots of support at our British races and get a Team of enthuiastic Quadrathletes to Europe for the World Championships!

So get the dates in your diary ….. its time to start training for the 2014 Quad Season ….. lets make it a good one! 

Quadrathletes Race Kona 2013!

Admin
Steve Clark

Congratulations to Steve Clark from Lincsquad and Mat Stephenson, 2 of our top Quadrathletes who have raced in the the World Ironman Championships in KONA, Hawaii on 12th October 2013. Steve is currently the British and European Quadrathlon Champion, he came home in a fantastic time of 9hrs 40mins 10 secs (swim 1.04.05, bike 4.49.15, run 3.38.42) 375 overall!

Mat Stephenson

Mat was last years Overall National Trophy Winner, he came home in 11hrs 16 mins 1 sec (swim 1.03.29, bike 4.59.23, run 4.54.41) 1304 overall.

Well done to them both, and we look forward to reading their Ironman race reports!

 

 

 

 

 

World Cup Series 2013

Admin

The World Cup wasn’t to be decided until the final race of this year …. Bude! The Race would decided whether the World Cup went back to the Czech Leoš Roušavý or go for the first time to German Stefan Teichert. Michal Hasa had also been in the lead and veteran Miroslav Poborský had won two championship races a third win may well of put him in the lead too. Overall, the Czech athletes were strong and on form, four of the first six places went to them. Finally, however, Stefan Teichert won the last two World Cup races and took the Championship from Leoš Roušavý.

In the women, the Germans were again very strong and took five of the first six places. Lisa Hirschfelder secured numerous victories and podium finishes with the most points. Second place went to the repeated Cup winner Ellen Mielke, who also collected points through numerous top rankings. In third Katrin Burow, the Berliner with two champion titles. The best non-German was the young talented Natália Paulik from Hungary in fourth place.

New this year, the points have been modified for the International Championship Race and the last World Cup race, there were 20 points more for each place (ie instead of 100 for a win, there were 120 points). The objective was to upgrade the championship race, ie where the best athletes race, and to keep the tension in the cup until the last race of the season.

A total of 10 races were scheduled, one of which had to be canceled because of the withdrawal of a sponsor. The best four results count, so that gives equality of opportunity, as Quadrathlon is not a professional sport and athletes with less budget, cannot afford to travel far.

On the Spanish island of Ibiza, the first World Cup event was held and won by the two Spaniards Vicente Roig Riera and María José Morell Salguero. The next race was Brigg England, The Middle Distance European Championships – this was won by our GB Athlete Steve Clark (GBR) and Lisa Hirschfelder.

Steinberg Germany, was hit by bad weather, the swimming had to be canceled and the paddling route was shortened. In the harsh conditions Leoš Roušavý and Lisa Hirschfelder took the top podium places. A week later at Lake Balaton Hungary, this time with high temperatures Leoš Roušavý won and in the women Natália Paulik.

The first major highlight of the World Cup over the sprint distance was in Tyn nad Vltavou Czech Republic this showed that Mr. Miroslav Quadrathlon Podborský, is still very hard to beat, even though he is over 40! Zuzana Kocumová (CZE) secured the title in the ladies. Also in early August Podborský won the Sprint Championships in Slovakia Šamorín and Diana Tešovicová (SVK) took the Ladies title. The town of Wolsztyn Poland held its first World Cup race, the winners were Leoš Roušavý and Lisa Hirschfelder.

The second major highlight – over the middle distance was the World Championships they were held at Ratscher Germany, a beautiful course on mountain lake. After a hard fort battle the two Germans Stefan Teichert and Antje Fiebig won the Championships. Finally  the last World Cup Race was in Bude, where Stefan Teichert and Lisa Hirschfelder took well deserved wins! , These victories in the last race gave them the World Cup Overall Trophies.

There were also great performances in the age groups,  two German athletes stood out here: First, Stefan Barthel, 70 years old took part in three World Cup races leaving many a young athlete behind. Secondly, Peter Appelt, 64 years compared to Barthel as a youngster, took part in seven races!

A total of 209 athletes raced in the World Cup Series. The most athletes on the start line were Great Britain with 50 starters, followed by the Germans (38) and Slovaks (37). A total of 13 nations were represented in the World Cup Series, with the 72 Germans, 55 British and 43 Slovaks.

A Great Season … hears hopeing for an even better 2014, and lets see if we can get a super strong succesfull GB Team visiting Europe for two of those World Cup Races … were good enough to be up there with the best Quadrathletes in the World!

Men

1 Stefan Teichert (GER) -450
2 Leoš Roušavý (CZE) – 420
3 Michal Hasa (CZE) – 400
4 Ian Smith (GBR) -250
5 Podborský Miroslav (CZE) -240

Women

1 Lisa Hirschfelder (GER) – 440
2 Ellen Mielke (GER) – 350
3 Katrin Burow (GER) – 220
4 Natália Paulik (HUN) – 210
5 Undine Harrier (GER) – 170

2013 World Cup Series Results

http://www.quadrathlon-online.de/ergebnisse/2013/13-w-cup.pdf

 

2013 National Trophy Champions

Admin

Once again Bude Awesome Foursome was a fitting end to our 2013 National Trophy Series, which has been made up of 6 races, unfortunately West Wight Quad had to be cancelled so Trophy Points were taken from the 5 races below.

◾The Brigg Bomber

◾Box End Quadrathlon

◾Shrewsbury Quadrathlon

◾Fabian4 Dyffryn Conwy Mountain Triathlon

◾The Awesome Foursome

This season 92 males and 16 female athletes took part in the series. It was great to see plenty of first timers and some of them doing really well, special mention to John Kavanagh in his first year of Quadrathlon, and to Adam Norfolk and Phil Holden who both started last year and have very well in their first full season! We hope everyone enjoyed their quad season and will be back for more next year!

We have been a little low on athletes joining the BQA this season, with only 18 members, but we do have 8 Race Organizers/Clubs affiliated to us, which we are very grateful to for their support, they provide us with the opportunity to race and enjoy our sport. All 5 of our Quad Races this year have been superbly organized by enthusiastic ‘Teams’ of like minded people and athletes, all enjoyed by the competitors with the aim to Keep our Small Friendly Sport ALIVE!

The BQA help to promote their races and supply the Race insurance so its vital we have YOUR support and memberships to keep these races going. So a Big THANK-YOU to all our 2013 members!

Trophies are awarded each year, provided each winner has done 3 races in the series, and must be a current BQA Member. Congratulations to the 2013 Winners

Overall Winners Perpetual Trophy Male Ian Smith (First BQA Member)

Overall Winners Perpetual Trophy Female Sharon Colley

Vet 40 Male Nigel Unwin

Vet 50 Male John Kavanagh (role down as Ian Smith won Overall Trophy)

Mark Pryor has been presented with the Eric Hatliff Memorial Trophy awarded each year ‘For Endeavor’ given to an athlete showing his enthusiasm and commitment to the sport of Quadrathlon. Mark has been our Chairman for 3 years, he has raced, and organizes a Winter Quad Series and the Boxend Quadrathlon each year the BQA have been very grateful for all his hard work and commitment to the sport and he has more than earned ‘Eric’s Trophy’

A BIG THANK-YOU MARK …. and I hope your going to still help me out next year!

2013 Final Trophy Results

 

Fabian4 Dyffrn Conwy Mountain Triathlon 2013

Admin

Congratulations to all athletes that did the Fabian4 on 8th September 20013, the 4th race in the BQA Trophy Series! I have just had this report from Jackie Keasley, it was Jackie’s first time at an event like this and she had only been paddling a couple of weeks, she had a fantastic time and did very well …. this is her report!

The Dyffrn Conwy Mountain Triathlon is a brilliant race organised by a very enthusiastic team of dedicated kayakers, runners & mountain bikers. The organiser, Ellie Salisbury who is part of Fabian and processes our Four Villages entries, encouraged me to take part despite me not having been in a kayak for 20 years. Ellie put me in touch with Chester & Conwy Canoe clubs and over the last month I have been encouraged all along the way by the most friendly club members who have taught me the basics over 6 sessions on the Dee (thanks to Jean & John etc), River Conwy (thanks to Penny & James et al) and Manley Mere.

On Saturday tea time, Bill & I met up with Penny from Conwy Canoe club who had kindly arranged for us to pick up a 5.2m Kirton Tempest kayak. It didn’t fit in the camper van so 3 other competitors, who were also there picking up their kayaks, helped us attach it safely to the high roof of our camper van. We overnighted at the race base, Trefriw Rugby Club. Following a team brief at 9:30 there was a mad dash to the RSPB reserve at Conwy. After launching the kayaks we lined up on the start line at the bridge embankment with the iconic Conwy Castle looking down on us.

Weather was mixed with sunshine and showers with a southerly wind. The start was 1 hour before high tide.  A 13K open water estuary paddle followed. I could not believe the different conditions met en-route; choppy wind blown waves, made worse by a passing motor boat, whirl pools, faster flowing currents, interspersed by tranquil patches. The notes said follow the scum for the best current!  This was a good tactic but in that scum was a lot of debris including seaweed and floating logs, which caused a wobble when the paddle caught. All this was a bit nervy for me who was paranoid about capsizing – I have not got the greatest affinity for water !  Under the Tal y Cafn bridge for a photo shot and onto the finish at Dolgarrog. The river was quite narrow and it was the most amazing feeling paddling, alone by this time, but not quite at the rear. The silence was amazing, alongside the most gigantic reed beds (SSSI) wafting in the breeze. A muddy reception team dragged me up the slippery bank and took care of the kayak.

A quick stretch, then off on a 13K fell run. There was an early steep climb up to the Llyn Cowlyd Reservoir following the hydro pipeline (yes it’s got to be steep). Lots of encouraging marshals along the way, and the provision of drinks & jelly babies at the dam before a further climb to 500m (in heavy rain). Despite the rain and drinks I could not get rid of the dry salty taste from the kayaking. Bog and slippery paths down through bracken and bramble in parts followed. Yes summer is over and the ground is now back to normal after the dry spell!  Finally crossed the Crafnant road for the final steep drop down to the Rugby Club.

A quick changeover, more jelly babies & a banana, and a thankful sit down on the bike. Then up the steep tarmac road to the Marin Trail Carpark for an 18K ride, dodging on and off the Marin Trail. A figure of 8 route around Lynn y Park. A mixture of forest tracks and narrow single track, current forestry operations making some of the wide tracks very muddy and hard work especially as by now it was pouring down. Managed to ride more of the Marin than I imagined, and have now got over my phobia of riding through deep puddles you can’t see the bottom of. An enforced rest to release a jammed chain, before a final series of slippery slate drops defeated me and I ran with the bike instead. A muddy track with fords and finally down to a waiting crowd at the muddy finish. A fabulous quick hot shower at the Rugby Club made me look more respectable; rugby showers are obviously designed for mud ! Into the bar, just in time for the presentation, a delicious veggie curry and cuppa + pint of shandy.

All in all a brilliant experience in an amazing location, just 1 hour from here. A very well organised complex event with a incredible number of marshals and helpers on the day + it must have taken many hours to plan. So a big thankyou to the Ellie and the organisers, marshalls & helpers at Map17 events + a very big thankyou to all those friendly paddlers at Chester & Conwy for all the encouragement and help along the way this last month.

Results

Mens solo winner   3:28 Adam Norfolk         London Fire Brigade Tri

Ladies solo  winner 4:47 Caroline Dallimore  Mynyddwyr De Cymru

Team winner          3:14 Team C T & C        * There was also a team event with individuals competing each leg, to include one lady per team

My time ‘Jackie’                 5:37   Kayak  1:34   Run 1:55   Bike 2:07. Only 4 solo ladies and 3 of those were V50+ !!! Well Done Girls!

Jackie Keasley

Full Results http://www.map17events.org.uk/

If Any of the BQA Athletes have a Race Report we would love to hear all about it .. Thanks.

 

 

 

 

Ratscher World Sprint Championships 2013

Admin

The World Championships ‘Bergsee Quadrathlon’  Ratscher were held on Saturday 31st August. We only had 2 representatives from GB this year, which was a great shame our smallest ‘Team for 8 years! However both GB athletes came back with medals!

Congratulations to Ian Smith (bike photo) who finshed 6th overall winning V50 Gold in 3.08.10.Keith Longney took the Bronze also in Vet50 came 11th overall in 3.13.05. (kayak photo) It is good to see Keith back racing after a few years off the Quad race circuit. Well done Team GB!

The World Champions for 2013 are Mens – GOLD Stefan Teichert (GER) 2.58.36. SILVER Leous Rousavy (CZ) 2.59.04. BRONZE Michael Hasa (CZ) 3.00.12

The Ladies GOLD Antje Fiebig (GER)3.15.22. SILVER Katrin Burrow (GER) 3.24.20. BRONZE Lisa Maria Hirschifelder (GER) 3.32.21

It would be great to see a strong GB Team back at the World Championships in 2014 … maybe we ‘orgt’ to think about this for next season, it has always been a great trip out there, very friendly, good safe racing, beautiful scenery and rather nice beer too ….. am I selling it YET???

World Championship Ratscher Results 2013 World Sprint Results

Keyo Brigg Bomber Quadrathlon 26th May 2013

Admin

002

Congratulations to Lincsquad for putting on The National and European Quadrathlon Championships, as always they put on an excellent race. They have a superb Team of organizers and supporters and on behalf of the BQA I would like to say a Huge Thank-you to you all … Top Job Lincsquad!!

The Race took place in Brigg (North Lincolnshire). Steve Clark (GBR) and the German athlete Lisa Hirschfelder won the European title over the distance of 1.5k swim, 7k kayak, 36k bike and 11k run.

The athletes and organizers had a few concerns about the weather some days before the race, because it’s been rather cold and wet throughout Europe. But on race-day everybody was pleasantly surprised. Although it was still quite chilly in the morning, it soon got warmer as the sun came out. However, the water was still pretty cold and the official 13°C not that welcoming.

After the starting gun has been fired, Stefan Teichert took the lead as expected: with the fastest relay swimmer – Lee McCarthy – he first climbed out of the river Ancholme and got into his kayak with more than minute distance to Phil Westoby (GBR), followed by Steve Clark (GBR) with a further backlog of one minute.

During the kayak part Teichert maintained his lead but the fastest paddler Adam Norfolk and Michael Mason (both GBR) approached step by step. Once on the bike Teichert accelerated throughout the flat, but windy bike course. The question was whether his lead would be enough, because Steve Clark had nearly caught up with him because of a very strong performance on the bike.

During the run Teichert tried his best, but his legs wouldn’t run as fast as Clark’s. After six kilometers, Clark overtook Teichert and continuously extended his lead. Steve Clark thus crossed the finish-line first in front of Teichert and Westoby, who fought hard for his third place. Especially his running split was stunningly fast, nevertheless he still has to work on his kayak-performance. Adam Norfolk and Brendan Reese finally finished fourth and fifth.

Concerning the women’s race, the victory went to the German budding Quadrathlete Lisa Hirschfelder, but until she could cross the finish-line waving the German flag, it was a long way. After swimming she had indeed taken the lead, but on the paddle course, her hands were shivering because of the cold water. Although she gave everything, she had to let pass the strong canoeist Sharon Colley (GBR). Once on the bike a relentless pursuit was started. Hirschfelder gained 3 minutes, but Colley was still half a minute in front of her. The young German speeded up and got finally ahead of Colley, who then finished second. In the end, Hirschfelder won her first international Championships well-deserved. The third place went to the Irish athlete and strong triathlete Lisa Dunne.

Noteworthy was the performance of Jack Garner: although the junior “only” finished in 37th place, everybody looked in awe at his performance and cheered him across the finish-line. Garner hasn’t seen anything of the course because he is blind. The young Englishman was guided all the time by an athlete – connected by a cord while swimming and running and the bike and kayak part was completed on a tandem respectively in a K2 (two-man kayak) – respect!

Another athlete really deserving our respect was the third German starter Peter Appelt, who dared a come-back to Quadrathlon after a serious accident last year. The 64-years old athlete successfully finished the race despite a flat tire on the bike.

European Championships – Keyo Brigg Bomber Provisional results

European Championships Keyo Brigg Bomber Team results

Photo’s also available from Nigel Farrow www.nigelfarrow.com http://archive.nigelfarrow.com/gallery/Brigg-Bomber-Quadrathlon-2013/G0000k4lbBqY.Seg

 

 

2013 Devizes to Westminster Jean’s Story

Admin

The week leading up to the DW conditions were so fast flowing, with the Thames on red Boards there was a bit of doubt knowing if the race would take place at all. All paddlers had to fill in a Matrix assesment 5 days before and if you scored above 12/20 you would be allowed to paddle. Adele and I felt we scored about 16, but our ‘Support Team’ marked us at 18 … so their was no turning back, my stitches in my hand (from the dog bite 5 days before) had been removed so we had no excuses!

We knew it was going to be a very tough race with very cold weather forcast, and all chances of any records being broken had gone, due to the strong headwinds. We battled against sub-zero conditions after leaving Devizes at 11.20am on Saturday. We faced strong Easterly winds all the way to Reading, and were an hour down on our time, but plenty of other Crews were much slower and had suffered more. We felt good going into the night, we had superb kit ‘Buffalo jackets’ – worth their weight in gold! Very soon the -4 temperatures iced up their kayak, froze our drinks systems, life jackets, spay decks and pogies! The portages were like ice rinks, so you had to be so careful, no running, we saw a few drop boats and break rudders. Our Support crew were amazing they looked after us so well, guiding us safely and feeding us hot soup and rice pudding! We managed to get our time back as we picked up speed on the fast flowing Thames. We hit Teddington just right for the tide, however the wind had picked up again and we had quite a battle with waves against wind, so it was a very bumpy tideway! One highlight for me, was paddling right past the Cambridge and Oxford Boats (they were rowing upstream) as they were having a warm up for the boat race!

It was strong determination that got us to Westminster Bridge on Sunday at 9.35am. They came 22nd out of 160 starters, they finished in an incredible 22 hours, 19 minutes, placed 2nd Ladies team and Winning the Ladies Veteran’s Trophy! Also came 6th/42 overall in the vets catagory.

Jean says ‘’Its certainly an amazing journey, with good times and dark times along the way. You push yourself to the limit and find your personal strengths, no mater how fit you are its your mental strength that drives you on. Its paramount having a very great trusting kayak partner, from whom you have no secrets, along with a positive support crew who never stop believing in your strengths!

We had the coldest Easter on record with 45% retirement rate due to the harsh conditions, we certainly had highs and lows but knowing we had so many followers back home and lots of sponsors that helped drive us on. We had tears of elation in our eyes, coming into Westminster knowing we had held onto our dream, we had a very emotional ’Team Hug’ and we have a memory that will stay with us both for ever. A huge thanks to our support crew, Dave, Kate, Adrian and Margaret … without them non of this would be possible they were truly amazing!

Brigg Bomber 2013 European Quadrathlon Championships

Admin

Lincsquad are proud to announce that the 2013 event will also be the European Quadrathlon Championships with a total prize fund of 500 euro’s.

Please don’t delay, and get your entry in today! We already have more entries so far this year than raced last year with a large proportion of solo entries from first timers, so could I urge you to consider entering the Brigg Bomber sooner rather than later, so that we can see exactly how many people are likely to race. If you have already entered many thanks.

The Lincsquad Team would also appreciate it if you could let your family, friends & work colleagues know as they may be interested in entering the solo, team or corporate team race.

The Keyo Brigg Bomber Quadrathlon 26th May 2013 is organised by members of LINCSQUAD (Lincolnshire Quadrathlon Club) and consists of a 1.5k river swim, 7k kayak, 36k bike & 10k run, this event is the British Championships, part of the British Quadrathlon National Trophy series and a World Quadrathlon Federation World Cup race.

We are also proud to announce our sponsor for this years event as Keyo Agricultural Services Ltd

Team & Corporate entries are accepted however only solo entries qualify for the British & European Championships, World Cup rankings & National Trophy series. The winning Corporate Team will not only take home the Corporate Bomber Trophy, but all team members (maximum 4) will all receive free entries to the 2013 Keyo Brigg Sprint Triathlon on 29th September 2013.

Minimum age for standard distance 16 years, parental consent is required for under 18 years.

 

2013 Brigg Bomber National & European Championships

Admin

An Excellent Race, and well worthy of its National and European Status, a big thank you to all the Marshalls, and Race Committee who worked very hard to give us this great event …….

Just a few days before the race, the river conditions caused major concern for the organisers, the river level was exceptionally low due to flood management controls by the Environment Agency, and at low tide the river flowed extremely fast, making swimming upstream impossible.

Decisions were made, telephone calls conducted and new paperwork completed, the swim, kayak & run routes would all change and centre the start, transitions and finish all around the Brigg Leisure Centre for the first time ever. The new course was a big winner with competitors supporters to the delight of the organising committee. The weather was kind and we all had a great days racing!

Thank-you Lincsquad! Congratulations to National/European Champions Mat Stephenson and Becky Schofield, and also the all the other athletes that competed, some excellent performances accross the board well done to Everyone, and lets hope we see the new quadrathletes at more of our races!

Matt Stephenson

Steve King took an early lead in the swim, followed closly by Matt Stevenson & Stefan Teichart. Steve extended his lead with an awesome kayak and newcomer to quadrathlon Brendan Reese recorded the 2nd fastest kayak split to move up the field, Stefan recorded the 3rd fastest kayak to move up into 2nd place. Matt Stevenson with the bit between his teeth then set to recording teh fast bike split and movied into 2nd place only a few hundred metres behind the leader Steve King. Matt the set to recording the fastest run split to cartwheel over teh finsih line to become the British & European Quadrathlon Champion.

 

The ladies Championship was won by new comer to quadrathlon & GBR age group triathlete Becky Schofield who recorded some of the fastest kayak & run splits of the day.

A quick run down of the Title Holders

MALE

NATIONAL & EUROPEAN CHAMP (plus VET 40) Male Mat Stephenson GBR

2nd Stefan Teichert GER

3rd Steve King GBR

4th Brendan Reese GBR

NATIONAL & EUROPEAN CHAMP VET 50 Nigel Crowe

NATIONAL & EUROPEAN CHAMP Under 23 Tom Stead

FEMALE

NATIONAL & EUROPEAN CHAMP Becky Schofield GBR

2nd Kathryn King GBR

3rd Lisa Maria Heirschfelder GER

4th Jean Ashley GBR NATIONAL & EUROPEAN CHAMP VET

 

You can still get National Trophy points at 3 more of our BQA Races – Next race is Boxend Sprint off-road quadrathlon, a great weekend of racing, all in an enclosed venue, with camping actually on the race course, awesome, bring the familiy.
Then followed by Shrewsbury Quadrathlon 2nd Sept and The Awesome Foursome, Bude 8th Sept.

WORLD MIDDLE DISTANCE CHAMPIONSHIPS 11th August Sedlcany CZ

Middle Distance – 1.5km swim, 7km kayak, 40km cycle, 10km run

WORLD SPRINT DISTANCE RACE 1st September Ratscher, GER         

Sprint Distance – 0.75km swim, 20km cycle, 4.6km kayak, 5km run

If you want to join the GBR Quadrathlon team racing in Sedlcany, Czech Republic in August, or Ratscher Germany in September at the World Championships races please contact Steve Hook or Mat Stephenson ‘Team Captain’ see their email address on Contacts page. Both are great events very friendly, good racing, and excellent courses.