A summary of the Australian Team’s results at the Master’s Marathon World Cup and the Marathon World Championships.
This year’s Marathon world Championships were held on the Duoro River at Crestuma in Portugal on September 18 to 20. The two days prior to that saw the running of the Master’s Marathon World Cup at the same venue.
Master’s Marathon World Cup
Wednesday was the first day of racing. Competing were Michael Leverett in the Men’s K1 35 – 39 years, Cameron McGill in the Men’s K1 40 – 44 years, Rob Russell and Andrew Coutts in the Men’s K1 50 – 54 years, and Sarah O’Connell-Brechin (NSW) in the Women’s 35 – 39 years. All races for these age groups are 5 laps, with a portage on each lap, of a 4.3km circuit, totalling 21.5km.
Racing began in ideal conditions, with very little wind or river flow. Michael Leverett, in a perfect preparation for the weekend’s racing, comfortably won the Men’s 35 – 39 years gold medal. Michael will compete in the Open K1 event in the World Championships on Saturday.
Sarah O’Connell-Brechin had a great start, but tangled with some other paddlers approaching the first turn and ended up in the water. She was able to get going again quickly and fought her way back into the race, finishing in third place. The experience will no doubt be of enormous benefit to her when she races on same course with Peta Wait in the Women’s Open K2 event on Sunday.
Cameron McGill managed 7th in his race and Andrew Coutts 10th in his. Rob Russell withdrew on lap 3, having suffered from the flu in his preparation, which hampered his performance.
The only team member racing on Thursday was Cameron McGill, who teamed up with South African Flip DeWet for the Masters K2 40-44 years. After a solid start and a couple of hard laps they settled in and crossed the line in a very creditable 5th place.
Marathon World Championships
In an event dominated by the Hungarians, the Australian team achieved some solid results. While podium positions eluded them, they were far from outclassed on the world stage.
Reid Coutts achieved 14th place out of 32 entries in the Junior Men’s K1 race, just 4 minutes 36 off the pace after 21.5km. Travis Dodd crossed the line shortly after in 19th place. The race was won by South African Brandon Van Der Walt. Brandon is the brother of the 2007 Junior World Champion, Grant Van Der Walt, who won this year’s Under-23 K1 race.
Gina Heidke (Qld) achieved 18th out of 23 entries in the Junior Women’s K1 race.
In the Under-23 Men’s K1 event, Dale Thomson (SA) achieved 15th out of 29 competitors, followed up by Simon Baird in 19th.
In the Junior Men’s K2 race, Marcus Whittaker and Daimon Ewart crossed the line in 19th place, ahead of David Ceddia and James Campbell in 24th. With 35 entries, it was a big start and four boats capsized, one of them severely delaying David and James, who then had further problems when they were tipped in while re-entering the water at the first portage. David and James are still in the under-16 category and have two more years racing at this level, so they’re sure to go far.
Cat McArthur and Marlena Ahrens scored a respectable 12th from 18 entrants in the Junior Women’s K2 race.
From 21 competitors in the Open Women’s K1 race, Sophie Mebalds crossed the line in 16th place, followed up by Kate McGrath (NSW) in 20th. Third place in this race was former Australian champion, now paddling for Great Britain, Lani Belcher.
Mick Leverett was only 3 minutes 24 off the pace after 30km in the Open Men’s K1 event, crossing the line in 12th place. Trevor Murray crossed the line shortly after in 17th place. There were 37 entrants in this event.
Peta Wait & Sarah O’Conell-Brechin (NSW), managed a solid 12th from 20 competitors in the Open Women’s K2 race.
In the final event of the meeting, Open Men’s K2, Ivor Morgan & Mark Rantall managed a respectable 13th from 29 entrants, followed by David Cole & Andrew Stimpson in 17th.
