BRONZE FOR PETE BYWATER AND JEFF NEILSON
Two Maitahi stalwarts took out bronze medals today in the ferocious heat at Dorney. Pete and Jeff, paddling for Horouta in the V12 500m Master 60 final, clinched third place in a race where the just 1.5 seconds separated the top three. It was fast, hot and exciting and after sitting a wee way back from the start line as the green flag was raised, they did brilliantly to power through to the finish.
Not too far behind was Greg Buck with his Aratika crew who took fifth place.
After the ceremonies we spoke to Jeff about the race and winning a World Championship bronze medal. He described it as “Quite good”. Pete was unavailable for media interviews as he and his agent were in negotiation with Nike, Saga holidays and Countdown Homebrand Adult Nappies about some athlete endorsement stuff.
Mars Dempster made it through to tomorrow’s final of the Women’s Master 50 V12 with her Taranaki crew and in the Women’s Master 60 V12 Jan Blythe Aratika crew came 5th in their heat and don’t go through to the next round.
In other news…. chicken salad for dinner. Jason D is claiming that non washing up privileges for the cook are a thing even when it’s cold food. Surely in this day and age that can’t be true.
Tomorrow there are numerous Maitahi paddlers in action. The other 5 Krakenz go in the V12 with Horouta in the men’s Master 50 hoping that some tip-top process and execution leads to a similar outcome.
Its never too early or too late to start paddling waka ama
We always welcome new members to the Maitahi Outrigger Canoe Club.
We have social and racing waka ama crews catering for a wide variety of ages and abilities.