Animal Windfest Ski Race : Results

The westerly winds whipped up some chop that was neither enjoyable or helpful but a challenge none the less of skill and endurance. The 10km, two lap course from the beach to the Coleman marker buoy 2.5 km off Sandbanks was a hard slog in the conditions. What was the most frustrating was watching the runs heading off towards Hengsbury Head.

The Line-up

The entrants included 8 Open Men, 3 open Ladies and 8 Masters. To have nineteen skis on the line (all long distance skis) was a great turn out. With so many of the Surf Lifesaving competitors not present with Nationals being held on the same weekend, it made the line-up really exciting.

The competitors included several local paddlers, fit from months of training and recent participating in the Race of Champions in Portugal. There were also a bunch of unknowns (well unknown to me) as well as international travelling South Africans from Guernsey, Gary Shaw and girlfriend Janet Vorster.

The race was by no means a gone conclusion. Especially with the new faces and some international fever. Simon Dark, who has been absent from many of the local races, preferring the warmer weather on the continent was surely the favourite. Simon managed to hold off the competition and win by a comfortable 3 minutes.

The race for second was a close battle between 4 paddlers. In the conditions, there was an occasional boat wake, or a sandbank that would allow a wave to give you an extra lift so I can imagine the hammer was down all the way. Grinding to keep each other in their sights with the hope of the lift to keep the pressure on.

In the end Gary Shaw (international) took second and Richard Lewis from Bradford on Avon was in close contention for 3rd with Steve Hardman, 2009 winner of the Surf lifesaving Masters series and Brendan Reese in 4th just 20 seconds adrift.

The local rivalry of Brendan Reese, Andy Blow and of course our National Ladies champion Chloe Bunnet was going to be a good one. However, Andy Blow was able to tempt Chloe into doing a 15km downwind on Friday evening and Im sure that was why Brendan was able to get one more up on both of them. I look forward to the British titles in 2 weeks time to see who wins then.

Hat's off

My hat goes off to Lena Beardsell who arrived via IRB with the Branksome Saftey Crew, borrowed a paddler and a Think boat from the Gaven Mumberson (UK Think Rep), paddled in and out a couple of times (first time in a ski) put her head down and finished the 10km. (well maybe 12km).

Final thanks you to the IRB crew from Branksome Chine SLSC. With the Club based 5km to the East, the crew still had to drive back to the club and put the boat away after the event. I owe you some beers, if you are at the party on the 25/26 ill make sure you have a couple on us.

Also, a huge thank you to Philip Nye for helping out. Im sure that watching the race instead of competing was the harder job. Thanks for running registration and the race while I paddled.

All the photos