Chelmsford Canoe Club held its annual Winter Series Race and despite the recent floods subsiding, the recent cold spell bought an new problem in the form of ice.

Large areas of ice further down the usual course meant a last minute change of plan and a new course running through the town centre.

Chelmsford paddlers turned out in force to take the overall club trophy with 305 points, their nearest competitor, Barking and Dagenham coming in with 146 points.

Chelmsford's juniors showed their mettle. Evan Shepherd took first in the Under 18 Male K1s, Chris Howe followed Evan in second place. Robert Taylor came through in second in the under 14 Mens K1.

In the junior crew boats a new pairing of Lindsey Wilcox and Nicole Bragg proved successful in the under 16 Ladies K2.

In the same division sisters Andrea Bragg and Laura Bragg chased after the pairing of other sister Nicole and Lindsey Wilcox to come in third.

Senior lady Anita Bennet switched from Slalom to marathon for the day, which obviously paid off as she passed the line in 2nd.

Unusually a racing C2 was also put out by Chelmsford, crewed by Anderson and Reeves they finished in 1st position.

In the C1 open class Mark Laskey matched the racing C2 taking another 1st place.

Published Friday, January 24, 2003

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