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Keyo Brigg Bomber Quadrathlon 26th May 2013

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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

 

 

Quad Race Season 2013 about to Start!

Admin

The 2013 Quad season is about to start, and I’ve had a couple of reminders from Race Organisers to get your entries in for the up and coming races. This years Brigg Bomber Quadrathlon 26th May is getting close. If you are going to enter the Bomber, could you please do so within the next week so that we can get a feel for the numbers competing.

Entries are Open Now for all our Quad Races, these are –

30th June – West Wight Quadrathlon 

4th August – Box End Quad

1st September – Shrewsbury Sprint Quad

8th September – Fabian4 Conwy Mountain Tri

14th September – Bude Awesome Foursome

 

 

 

 

 

1st September

 

 

2013 Devizes to Westminster Jean’s Story

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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.

 

2012/13 Quadmire Series – Wadenhoe Race 4

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Well they say a picture says a 1000 words, I guess that is true, either that or Steve decided to have his yearly bath!

It seems that the Met Office severe weather warning put off a lot of potential athletes for the last race of the series as we only had 9 enter the Duathlon and 1 brave soul [Tom Dawson] enter the Quad. However the weather was not too bad: wet and cold, but that is normal for Wadenhoe.
As we can see the quagmire was well and truly on form with plenty of mud and spatter for all. Unfortunately I was manning the warm Village Hall [what a bummer] and did not see the ins and outs of the race. I do know that by the time the mud spattered humans [well almost] returned for tea and cakes they seemed extremely grateful to be out of the elements.

Jez Cox won the Duathlon and in fact he won the overall series with Matthew Wootton the second overall man. Steve Giles [AKA the mud swimmer] took MV40 with Keith Read picking up the MV50 award. Unfortunately no ladies completed the required number of races this year. In the Quad Tom Dawson was the overall winner with Steve Saunders second overall.

Full Results Race 4

Final Series Results

I would like to thank all the marshalls and helpers who have made the series possible by braving the elements. A special mention to the members of Colworth Striders who helped and made it all possible.

It is with regret that we announce that this will be our last Wadenhoe Quadmire series. The competitor numbers and logistics no longer make it viable for us to continue with the series. However; it is not all bad news as we are going to run a 3 race series at Box End Water Ski Park [Kempston, Bedford]. We also intend to run a one-off race at Wadenhoe [probably in Feb 2014].
All race reports and details of our summer races can be found on our website: www.quadracracing.co.uk

I would like to thank you all for your continued support

Mark Pryor, Quadrac Racing

The BQA are very gratefull for all the effort and dedication of the ‘Wadenhoe Team’ over the past few years, they have organized an excellent race series, and without a doubt the BEST POST RACE REFRESHMENTS … EVER!!! Thank-you so much and we wish Quadrac Racing all the very best with the New Series at Box End … and knowing Mark, he will find a ‘Mud Bath’ somewhere on the new course!

2013 West Wight Quad Confirmed

Admin

The West Wight Quad will take place on Sunday  30th June 2013, the distances will be Swim 600metres (pool); Mountain Bike 12miles; Sea Kayak to the Needles 6nm; Run 4.5k.

Update from Mike Rayden. Organiser  

We decided just before Christmas to hold the second West Wight Quadrathlon so despite packing for a trip to see family in OZ and preparing for Christmas we decided on a date for the Quad and announced it on our website and told the BQA. To our delight we have been asked to be part of the BQA series for 2013! and we also had our first two entries on the website.

So now we start advertising the event to hopefully, this year, reach our entry limit of 30 competitors. Whilst the event is technically hard in the mountain bike and sea kayaking stages because the swim (indoor pool) and the run (short and flat) are easy, it is suitable for less experienced Quadrathletes.  Also being able to hire a sea kayak and /or a mountain bike locally (see our partners) could suit and make life easier for some competitors.

This is only a preliminary notice. Futher details will follow from West Wight Sports Centre.

IOW Adventure Activities, Sea kayak and transport details http://isleofwightadventureactivities.co.uk/

Wight Cycle Hire http://www.wightcyclehire.co.uk/

Mike Rayden. Organiser   01983761371 ( afternoons)

 

2012/13 Quadmire Series – Wadenhoe Race 3

Admin

It was a cold & frosty start to Wadenhoe 3 and we waited with bated breath to see if we would be subjected to the snow that was forecast.

22 people in the RBR [Run Bike Run] and 7 in the Quad were not to be put off by the weather as they raced across the frosty fields to be the first to the style [the first obstacle].

Jez Cox decided to swop from the Duathlon [were he had dominated the first two races] to the Quad.  He took an early lead and was the first to arrive at the kayak transition a good 2 minutes ahead of second place Neil Cooney.

In the RBR it was Ian Turner who was the first mud spattered athlete to arrive in transition [after two run laps] followed by Matthew Wootton. It had not taken long for the frost to be worn away by the passing of pounding feet and the surface condition became muddy and slippery. By the appearance of the many strange things that returned to transition [monsters from the swamp] the quagmire was living up to its reputation, with particular sticky/ glutinous mud today.

The slippery conditions made for an interesting ride [understated] with many slips and slides [some not so controlled] and a lot of pushing bikes up the short steep hills. Over at the Quad, Jez had maintained his lead and was the first to head out on the bike leg. Stiff Father  & Son competition was afoot as Tom Watt & his son Zak both arrived into transition together to battle it out on the bike course.

In the Duathlon Ian Turner maintained his small lead throughout the race and crossed the line first in a time of 01:05:23 with Matthew Wootton taking second place in a time of 01:07:58. Justin Burrell was the first MV40 to finish, unfortunetly no Ladies were up for the challenge today.

Jez Cox was the first to finish the Quad with a vast lead over his nearest rival, Neil Cooney. In the Father & Son race  it was age and experience that triumphed over youthful energy as Tom beat Zak to the line [I am sure it will not be long before the roles are reversed, just as well Tom can paddle well]. Lisa Dunne, did very well to finish her first Quad.

I think we must have sold a record number of soups and Bacon butties at the end as we were totally wiped out of food. The last Wadenhoe race is on Sunday 10th Feb, when the series positions will be decided.

Big thanks to all the Marshalls who braved the cold conditions.

Full Results Race 3

 

We hope to see you all at the last race. Mark Pryor Quadrac Racing

World Cup Races & Championships 2013

Admin

The WQF have been working hard during the past few months to put together a brilliant race schedule for the WQF Quadrathlon World Cup 2013. The coordination of the races is not that easy and really time consuming – but 2013 promises a lot of excitement and adventure in the various international Quadrathlon races.

IBIZA, ESP 4th  May – The World Cup is traditionally opened up by a Quadrathlon (middle distance) on the Spanish island of Ibiza,  although the information in the run-up to the event is often sparse, the organizer Pepe Ribas ensures the best care on location for every athlete. The  competition offers the possibility to be combined with a small training camp too.

BRIGG BOMBER  GB, 26th May – The next stop for the World Cup will be Brigg in England. Same as last year, the European Championships over the middle distance will take place in Brigg on the 26th of May. The organizers of the Lincsquad-community offer a great competition, which will certainly be one of the highlights of the season.

OBERPFALZER SEENLAND, GER  2nd June – Only one week later, another middle distance will take place at the Steinberger See in Germany. The Upper Palatinate region offers not only a picturesque landscape, but also a race at the highest stage. Located near to the Czech border, the competition site is easy to be reached by athletes coming from the neighbouring countries.

BALATON, HUN  8th June – After a long time in history, its good to have a World Cup race represented in Hungary. Near to the famous Lake Balaton, another middle distance will take place. The date will be Saturday, 8th of June. However, depending on the conditions on the lake (concerning the kayak-part), the organizer reserves the possibility to change race-day from Saturday to Sunday.

TYN nad VLTAVOU, CZ  22nd June  – The first sprint distance can be found on the agenda: in Tyn nad Vltavou in the Czech Republic. The traditional event receives a special honour this year with the organization of the World Championship over the sprint distance, which will certainly be a further highlight of the season.

SAMORIN, SLOVAKIA 3rd August – An exciting race is also expected on the 3rd of August, when the European Championships over the sprint distance will be held in the Slovakian Šamorín. Next to Bratislava, the young organization team has provided a fantastic event in the last two years and has much going for the European Championships, too.

POLSKAMAN WOLSZTYN, POL, 17th August -A world premiere is going to take place in Wolsztyn (Poland) next year, as the World Cup schedule lists the PolskaMan as a Quadrathlon middle distance on 17th of August. The WQF is very pleased about this race, because the organizer is very professional in the run-up to the event. The race will be interesting, especially for German and Czech athletes, because Wolsztyn is suited only 100 and 200 km respectively from the German and Czech border.

With regret the WQF has to accept the decision of the organizer Václav Marek: in 2013 there will be no Quadrathlon in Sedlcany (Czech Republic). Lack of sponsors and increasing regulatory burdens weight the organisation of a quadrathlon. Looking ahead to 2014, the WQF hopes that this is not a final decision. The World Championships will now take place in Ratscher.

 World Championships – RATSCHER, GER 31st August – The races in Ratscher have always been superbly organized, it’s such a wonderful venue! The WQF are looking forward to this big highlight in the World Quadrathlon callender.

VELENCE, HUN  7th September – The World Cup will make a second stop in Hungary, this time on a long distance – the first since 2010. Once again, it remains to be seen whether the race will take place on Saturday or Sunday (depending on the conditions on the lake). Furthermore, it is still unclear if this long distance can even be a World Championship – this detail is depending on the organizers’ will to pay prize money. The final decision will be made by the end of January.

AWESOME FOURSOME BUDE, GB 14th September – Finally promises to be a grand finale of the World Cup 2013. In Cornwall a demanding middle distance is waiting for the athletes: steep climbs and difficult trails need to be overcome. However, the beautiful countryside with a lovely sea sight makes up for all the hardships.

For all international championship races the organizers have committed themselves to paying prize money so that as many good athletes as possible will participate.

During the WQF Congress in November, also a slight modification of the World Cup concerning the points in each race was decided. For international championship races and the last World Cup race of the season the points are enhanced by 20 points for each place. For example: instead of 100 points for the 1st place, the winner gets 120 points and the 30th receives 21 points instead of only 1 single point. This will help to design the championships even more attractive and the battle for the World Cup will remain a bit longer open to changes. Furthermore, it is ensured that in the last race of the season as many athletes as possible are standing at the starting line in order to have a condign celebration ceremony for the overall World Cup. The rule that a maximum of 4 races come in the final rating with up to two results from one country was confirmed.

Another point that has been changed were the age requirements for single entry in longer Quadrathlon distances. Although the WQF still recommends that longer distances are only attempted by adult athletes, younger athletes can take part in longer distances if they can show a written parental consent. The age categories for the Masters in 10-year steps was confirmed once again.

In the end, the WQF asks all athletes to register early for the competitions. By registering as soon as possible, you help the event hosts to organize a well-planned race – only then, a great competition can take place!

For more World Cup Information visit the website http://www.quadrathlon.com/index.htm

The WQF wishes all athletes an injury-free preparation and is looking forward to exciting competitions in 2013!

Regards

Stefan Teichert, WQF Executive Board

Brigg Bomber Quadrathlon 2013

Admin

The entries have been opened for the Brigg Bomber Quadrathlon 2013 organised by Lincsquad.

The date has been brought forward to the bank holiday weekend of Sunday 26th May, so that the event can become even bigger & better. This has meant that the North Lincs Challenge has been suspended for 2013, last year we saw very low entries for the challenge and although not an easy decision we have decided that we must put all our focus & attentions into building the Brigg Bomber Quadrathlon for the future.

The Brigg Bomber will once again be the British Quadrathlon Championships and BQA National Trophy Series race, as well as a WQF World Cup series race.

We are also pleased to also inform you that the Brigg Bomber has also been awarded the status of European Quadrathlon Championships 2013, thanks to our new sponsors Keyo Agricultural Services we are also able to confirm a total prize fund of 500 euro’s for the European Championships.

Although the race has increased its profile & status it is still very welcoming of newcomers to the sport of quadrathlon, either as solo, team or for the first time in 2013 as a corporate team.

The Corporate team can be made up of 2, 3 or 4 members of the same company, the winning corporate team will not only be awarded the corporate trophy but each winning team member will receive free entries to the Brigg Sprint Triathlon in September, now that’s an incentive !

If you have any queries regarding this event please email events@lincsquad.co.uk

So get training, get your entry in and see you in May.