Tim in action again

Despite only having started training again in mid February following a lay-off after winning Gold in the 1000 metres and Bronze in the 500 metres at the Beijing Olympics, NKC member Tim Brabants was up there with the leaders in both 500 & 1000 at the April regatta. He also managed to win the 5km race by a hair breadth. Tim was caught in action by fellow club member Leonard Bobcek. see Tim in action again at Holme Pierrepont on the weekend of Sat/Sun 8/9th of May.

More NKC Successes - Members in the News

The news has been full of NKC Members recently.

OLYMPIC KAYAK SPRINT SELECTIONS

Perhaps Tim Brabants & Lucy Wainwright are the most notable, having been on local TV, National TV & the papers. We wish them success.

Also in the news:

INTERNATIONAL MARATHON RESULTS

Paul Enoch & Richard Golder - Senior Mens K4 Trophy Prince of Asturias at Pontevedra in Spain - 20/21 June with Jamie Mayers of Runcorn & Richard Forbes of Solihull.
5th international crew.

Harriet Farish - World Cup 1, Brandenberg, Germany 14-15 June. K2 with Nicky Taylor of Elmbridge Canoe Club. 8th senior women K2.

LOCAL NEWS

At yesterday evening's presentation for the Rushcliffe district sports awards at the Arena, Harriet Farish won the Senior Sportsperson Of The Year out of the many candidates (5 were shortlisted) in a high quality field. Tim Brabants was the speaker at the event and a film was shown of his last years 1000m world championship K1 race to an excited audience. In Harriet's absence - she has gone to race in Crestuma this weekend for another World Cups Event - Norman Mason, the NKC Captain, collected her trophies from Tim).
Also shortlisted were Michael Sims as Junior Sportsperson Of The Year (for last year) and David Phillips as Volunteer Sports Coach. Both of these were in the last 5 in very tough competition.

NATIONAL SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIPS

At the National Sprint Championships last weekend, Tim Brabants became the Mens A K1 500 metres Champion. Laurence Garton won the Mens D Class Championships in both 1000 metres and 200 metres.
Good performances were also produced by our Juniors in the Under 14 Age group. Both Boys and Girls events had over 40 competitors from clubs all over the country and the Girls races also had representatives from Holland and South Africa. Ricky Millar produced good times, while Alice Cobb & Leanna Bold both reached finals. Leanna's result was notable as it was her first season paddling & she came 6th in Final 1 with a paddler from Frisia, Amsterdam & another from Natal Canoe Club, South Africa just ahead of her in the 500 metres.
Only two of our Under 12s paddled at this event, taking part in Lightning, Hody K2 & Mini K4 events. Congratulations to Max & Megan on their first Nationals.

Busy Weekend 15th - 18th May

A reminder to all members that the club are running their Hasler Marathon Race on 18th May. If you're not racing, there are jobs you can help with or come and cheer our paddlers on.

Meanwhile our thoughts are with NKC's top sprint paddlers, as 3 of them are representing Britain at the the European Championships in Milan. Tim Brabants, the current 1000 metre World Champion, is doing Mens K1 500 & 1000 metres. Lucy Wainwright is doing Womens K1 200 & 500 metres and Hayleigh Mason Womens K2 200 metres & K4 500 metres. In addition to this, Rosy Gray, one of our club Life Members, is acting as an official at the championships. Full team details here http://www.marathon-canoeing.org.uk/newsletter.asp

Congratulations to Harriet Farish for her 4th place, only 6 seconds down on the winner at last weekend's GB marathon assessment race in Chester. Richard Golder was 8th in the Men's K1. Full results here http://chestercanoeclub.org.uk/chester_1_ass_08.htm

Clifton - Tuesday

The nights are darkening, but the conditions (apart from the midges) were excellent for some serious racing! Younger juniors partnering old fogies and World Champions added to the interest. Tadek had the pleasure and privilege of paddling with Tim Brabants, World Champion and did 36:36. Great to see that the very best amongst us can spare a little time for the rising stars of tomorrow! Everyone else there was envious and would have swapped places with Tadek. Kath paddled with Tadek's brother Ziggy and Mick paddled with Ricky. A good time was had by all. The Chmiel family cheering section was on the bank to keep us all going & Geordie discovered the secret of how to get the best club boats, by paddling with The President! Marish paddled with Heather, thereby giving the cheerleaders plenty of crews to offer their encouragement to.

Tuesday - Clifton

A busy night with lots of people paddling, either the time trial or in Beth C's group or just paddling. The weather was good, warm, sunny & calm.
Tim Brabants raced tonight, powering past every one to do just over 32 minutes. From total beginner to World Champion paddling tonight. What other sports enjoy such a wide span at one club on just another late summer evening?

Tuesday - Clifton & WWR World Champion

The weather was a bit breezy & Clifton times seemed slow this week with only one PB recorded in the book. Michael managed a PB in his K1 for a change, but with a corrected time did not manage to dislodge Mark Hampton from the Junior Mens seasons best spot. The timekeeper had an unusual approach to recording the times, and discussion (& adjustments) still continues as to which results are correct.

Most members were unaware of the visit of a recent World Champion to the club on Tuesday, so I include the text & photo from an e-mail from Mike Mason.

"We also have British Junior Wildwater Racing World Champions. Sandra Hyslop of Hexham, aged 16, destroyed the rest of the field winning by 38 seconds over the 18 minute classic course. She also won a silver medal in the sprint event. The girls team of Sandra, Hannah Brown of Bath and Olivia Churchill of Royal won gold in the team race by 15 seconds and Olivia also won bronze medals in both the classic and team races. This was the most successful championship for a British Team and bodes well for the future of our sport."