Tarka Ski Challenge- Barnstaple

1st Race of 6 in British Series

The 2008 British Ocean Ski Series was kicked off on Saturday evening in Barnstaple on the River Taw. 50 paddlers from across the country tested their fitness levels on the course which was set between the New Barnstaple Bridge and The Tarka Line Railway Bridge.

The Open Mens 12k race set off first and before long a lead pack was formed with the top five paddlers playing cat and mouse with each other to see who might make a break. The last 200m of the race proved to be the deciding factor when Andrew Maycock, Tom Sharp and Tim Widershoven upped the pressure for a gruelling sprint finish. With 10m left Tim Widershoven proved the strongest and edged out Tom Sharp on the line with Andrew Maycock taking 3^rd spot.

The 8k course was contested by the Open Ladies, Masters Men / Ladies, Open Double and the Under 19 Men / Ladies. These categories also produced some great results with some hard fought battles to the line.

Open Ladies: 1^st Karen Harris, 2^nd Zoe Betteridge, 3^rd Holly Hawkey

U19 Men: 1^st James Granfield, 2^nd Alex Bunney, 3^rd Luke Penman

U19 Ladies: 1^st Sara Rowe, 2^nd Amy Byles, 3^rd Gacie Dack

Masters Men: 1^st Colin “Biggles” Smith, 2^nd Owen Philips, 3^rd Richard Lark

Masters Ladies: Steph Robinson

Open Double: 1^st Lawrence/Richards, 2^nd Pasco/Martin

The 4k course was battled out by the Under 16 Boys and Girls categories that showed great stamina in the cold windy conditions.

U16 Boys: 1^st James Bunney, 2^nd Feddie Hedger, 3^rd Matt Robinson

U16 Girls: 1^st Venessa Pearson, 2^nd Emma Challacombe, 3^rd Amy Harrison

The second race of the British Series will be at Hayle in Cornwall on the 4^th May. This could throw up a completely different set of results when ocean racing skills will be put to the test!