Steve Gurney Awards Best Capsize Trophy on Wild Descent

Steve Gurney Awards Best Capsize Trophy on Wild Descent

The third stage of the Wild Descent kayak race currently taking place on the Clutha River has the field of 27 teams of two heading from Roxburgh this morning towards Clydesvale, some 78km of stunning terrain and fast running water sections.

Race Director Warren Bates says the river below Roxburgh is free of hydro dams and returns to its natural historic nature.

“ Today is perhaps the hardest stage of the event with a lot of moving river all the way and the Clutha River at it's finest but also its wildest. A lot of people reckon that this is the one section of the river which retains its beauty of old. It's a long day with rapids and rocks to avoid all the way and should make for some compelling racing.”

Yesterday the race saw plenty of action out on the water as Wild Descent competitors travelled a modest 54km along a big flat section of water that was wind exposed.

“ The lead teams jostled for position from the get go but as the field entered the Roxburgh Gorge they were faced with a strong tailwind that was to fire them down the river in an amazingly quick time, breaking all our timing expectations,” says Mr Bates .

“ The conditions continued to worsen over the day and the last placed teams were surfing down big waves and avoiding small water spouts as they approached the Roxburgh Dam.”

The issue of a portage around the Roxburgh Dam saw the teams having to carry their kayaks down a steep, rocky track, before re-entering the river just below the dam. The final section below the Roxburgh dam was out and out racing back on moving water.

After a titanic battle the Australian/Kiwi duo of Matt Blundell and Michael Snell squeaked over the finish line a single second ahead of Wanaka duo of Bob McLaughlin and Keith Murray. Ian Huntsman and Wendy Riach continue to lead the Mixed Category and third overall after another strong day of competitive racing is Tim Farrant and Sia Svenson.

At the after race dinner last night there was a small award ceremony where Steve Gurney presented the Wild Descent Trout Counter Trophy (one he had hand crafted himself) to the best capsize of the day. It was judged and duly awarded to Joanna Williams and Jeremy Warnock after a finish line sprint in very benign conditions.

Mr Bates says those teams who make it through today's section will be rewarded with a relatively short paddle tomorrow to the finish at Molyneux Bay along the Dunedin Coast.
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