Hasler Finals 2017, Richmond.

The club qualified for the national Hasler finals, unfortunately, I didn't. 

My first foray into the canoe racing scene this year has amounted to one event on the Hasler calendar that I completed, one that I didn't, (by about only 10 meters) and the national championships which I also completed, after a fashion. That makes two completed and one recorded as a dns, (did not start). For an individual to be eligible to enter the final to represent their club he/she has to have completed at least three events in the class you're entering. So that's a fail then.

Nevertheless, I went along to cheer on both my son and granddaughter who had both qualified in k2 doubles with their respective partners. In Ellie's case, her new partner also hasn't done the required number of events, so her old partner came back from retirement for the one day to make up the k2 crew. (Thanks for that!). My son and his partner who have now been promoted to division 7 after their recent win were now going to have to go into the final in a division of much faster crews than they had been used to competing against, so a high placing wasn't to be expected.

The stretch of Thames that the final was to take place on is a particularly scenic stretch of the river between Richmond bridge and Teddinton lock for the shorter four mile event and up to Kingston bridge for the longer ones, which would include a portage at Teddington. The Richmond Canoe Club who organise the event had provided a venue adjacent to Ham House and copious parking was provided next to the grounds. It turned out to be a slick and well run event on a beautiful sunny and warm day with only a light breeze along the river. All things considered it couldn't have been better.

The events for the mid range divisions, 4,5 and 6 were raced in the morning while the premier and tail end divisions set off in staggered starts at intervals of two minutes from 1 o'clock in the afternoon. Mrs D and I walked the dog along the towpath towards the second turn. Both son and his partner, followed a little later by Ellie and partner passed by, made the turn around the buoy then passed a second time on the homeward leg towards the  finish. Son finished 21st in div 7 and Ellie 7th in div 9. All in all it was a successful day for the club. A first and two second places in the k1 and overall ninth place for the club

For my part, being sidelined by an unnecessary injury was a big let down. It had prevented me from making the third personal qualifying race and the final itself. Only a limited number of teams from each region get through to the final, so it's quite possible that there won't 'always be next year'.