The first race of the new year, and it’s a big one. Many of the countries top paddlers were amongst the 125 plus K2s racing the 12 miles from Elmbridge Canoe Club to the home of the race organisers, Richmond Canoe Club.

There were a number of Banbury or part-Banbury boats this year. Jessie U had to have a last-minute change of partner, but luckily Addlestone CC’s Hannah P stepped into the boat for the pair to finish as fastest junior women. Joe P with Chelmsford’s Tim G-P was 6th in the hugely competitive Men’s A, which was crammed with GB international paddlers.

Others racing included some of the club’s potential 2020 Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race paddlers, using this to kick off their campaign.

Neil U and Will H were joint 3rd in the veteran class ahead, of Paul S and Malcolm G in 8th. Isla J and Annelies F defied Isla’s seat moving independently in the boat to take 6th in the senior ladies, and Alice M with Nottingham’s Shaune W took the same position in the mixed class, just ahead of Dan G and Cardiff’s Jasmine H.