Melbourne weather did us proud for the first race of the Outer
Edge Crit Series, with blue skis and a warm breeze providing the
perfect conditions for first-time racers, and pros returning to
competition after a long winter on the couch.
Indeed, there were more than a few cobwebs being shaken off out
on the glassy waters off Sandridge beach, with some suprise results
suggesting it's going to be a close battle for Open Ski Series
Champ this year.
But first to the SUP race. It was awesome to see nine SUP
paddlers battling it out out on the water, and a huge thanks goes
out to Chris Sal from SUP HQ
in St Kilda for bringing a few of his crew down to race. It was
quite a spectacle to see the stand-up guys mixed in among the ski
guys as they turned the lighthouse in Beacon Cove. Being the
seasoned SUP racer he his, Chris comfortably took out the 4km
(okay, not quite 4km...) SUP race in a smidgeon over 28 minutes,
followed by Lenny Furlong in 29:18 and Paul Harrington from SUP Vic
in 29:59. Let's hope we get a few ladies down on SUPs next
month!(In fact, that's a specail request from one of our male
organisers).
In the ski race, the big upset was in the Open Men's field, with
young gun Angus Campbell - who recently competed in the ICF World
Canoe Marathon Championships in Singapore as part of the Australian
Marathon Team - beating local favourite and 2010 series champ, Ivor
Morgan by nearly two minutes.(53:22 to 55:05). Could this signal a
changing of the guard? Don't bet on it just yet - this was Ivor's
first paddle after a six-week break, and he's sure to up the ante
next month. Can't wait to see how the battle unfolds.
And lets not forget to mention paddling stalwart and quiet
achiever, Tim Altman, who came in second, just ten seconds behind
Angus in 53:32. Tim also took out the Over 40 category, putting the
largely younger field to shame. Tim's a naturopath by day, and may
just have the secret to eternal youth, so if you want some of what
he's having, give him a call.
In third place in the Open Ski Men was Ben Marshall 54:58 -
Ben's a new face at Outlaw, and has entered the whole Crits series,
so look out.
In the women's ski class, it was Chloe "Hardcore" Hardman all
the way, finishing in 1:07:10, ahead of Laurelle Stalker in second
(1:11:13) and Lucy Bell - back in Oz after six-months in the US
with her husband, pro-triathlete, Luke Bell - in third (1:12:43).
Chloe, who also took out the Over 40 Women's class, is still
recovering from an epic 49km mountain run up Mt Stirling and Mt
Buller, so we're pretty impressed! Oh, and Laurelle, we've still
got your prizemoney, so don't worry...
Finally, big congrats to Keith Oliver, who took out the Over 50
Men in 1:06:54, and also to Warwick Agnew, who was our sole Plastic
Craft 6km entrant - it's great to see some newbies giving it
a go and we hope to see more Plastic Craft guys next race. As for
the outrigger crews, where were you guys? We missed you...
Anyway, that's the wrap. To see provisional results, courtesy of
Blast Paddlers (thanks
Blast!), follow the links here:
Outer Edge Crit Race#1: Full Course
Outer Edge
Crit Race #1: Half Course (Plastic)
Outer Edge
Crite Race #1: SUP Course
Photos from the race will be up shortly. In the meantime, you
can check them out on our
Facebook page. Please 'Like' us!
NEXT RACE: 24 November, 2011
Big thanks to the following sponsors:
Outer Edge Mag
Stellar Kayaks and Surf Skis
Sunny King SUP Boards
SUP HQ
Go Natural
Peak Adventure