Gallery

DBNSW Race 4 - Tacoma
It dawned a beautiful Saturday morning on the Wyong River with bright sunshine and hardly a breath of wind. Our grand masters team lined up for the start of the first race of the day. There were 5 teams competing for the final in this category. It was close action all the way between Sandy Point and Bei Loon in next lane. Margaret called for a lift as the finish line approached, and Sandy Point surged ahead to take 2nd place.
Our next race was in the premier mixed category and 5 boats lined up on the start line. It was a hard fought race and Sandy Point came in 5th. Throughout the race we stayed competitive with younger teams.
The first heat of the masters mixed saw 4 boats line up, and it was another closely fought race. Sandy Point was level pegging with Bei Loon Green. Peter called for a lift with 50m to go and the crew responded to place Sandy Point 3rd, and only 1/100th of a second behind Sloths in 2nd place.
The girls lined up with 4 other boats for their first race of the day. With 19 paddlers in the boat, we fielded our biggest premier woman’s team to date. Though they paddled their hearts out, they came in 5th. It was a fantastic effort from the girls, because it means that they have now qualified to compete in Chinese New Year.
The second premier mixed heat was a blinder. Ryan set a furious pace as we charged down the course. It was Shine’s last provisional race, and he called a lift near the end that other to teams near us couldn’t respond to. Our reward was 3rd place in a premier mixed heat!
Our second masters mixed heat was another excellent race. On the far side of the course, we were actually in the lead until about half way. Bei Loon Orange charged ahead, but a lift from Sandy point before the finish line guaranteed our 2nd place.
By the second women’s heat the wind had picked up making lining up on the start line difficult. With 6 teams in the race our girls made a valiant effort to edge their way into 4th place.
Our master’s mixed team was successful in winning their way through to the final. It was do or die time, empty the gas tanks. We were in lane 1 of a 6 lane final and our girls had only just finished their last heat. With a gutsy effort from the whole team, it was a very close tussle for 3rd place with Northern Beaches but alas we were pipped into 4th place by 3/100th of a second.
So, on the whole, it was a very successful day with one 2nd place trophy, Shine and Peter W attaining their sweep accreditations and some overall great racing for our newest members.