High winds on Lake Malta Regatta Course as the senior men's K2 concluded racing at the 2024 Marathon European Championships in Poznan, Poland.
Matthew Collinge (Fowey) and Matthew Johnson (Chelmsford) joined forces and kept the pace high throughout the 29.8km race to claim a top 5 position.
The Chelmsford, Elmbridge pairing of James Russell and U23 paddler Harry Freeland were also back in action lining up for the senior men's K2.
Collinge and Johnson established themselves well in the leading group off the line.
Russell and Freeland found a wash just off the leaders and rode it back up to join the group by the top turn on lap one. They then powered through the group to lead the race into lap two.
As the pace quickened into the first portage James and Harry dropped slightly off the group.
It started to pour with rain as the leaders came into the second portage. Matt and Matt remained strong in the lead group and got away well into lap four.
The Chelmsford, Fowey team recorded the fastest lap time around lap four in 15:01, matching the time of the Danish boat. They held their position in the lead group and managed the pace all the way through to the final small lap.
A powerful final sprint down to the finish line earnt Matt and Matt an epic 5th in a time of 2:06:36.
Speaking after their race Johnson said: “It was a good race, we got off well on the start, which is what we hoped for. Then we just settled into the group. There were a lot of key moments and key burns but we just sat at our own pace, knowing the group would come back together. We kept calm coming into every portage. We had one sketchy one, I think it was portage four, but got through cleanly on the other side.”
Collinge added: “We know the boat runs well, we've done marathon and sprint together. We prepared by doing more running in training compared to previous seasons and it made a massive difference on the portages. We were often coming in at the back of the group, conserving energy and then we were able to run to the front of the group.”
Johnson finished off by saying: “We knew we had the pace, we knew it was going to run well. We've done a lot of sprinting together too. We did the 500m at the sprint World Cup and the 1000m at the Euros.”
James and Harry eventually retired from the race.
Katie Brookes (Exeter) and Elise Montagna (Royal) proved to be a stellar pairing as they powered to a top ten finish in the senior women's K2 race.
The Brits got away well and settled in a chasing group after the top turn on lap one.
The Exeter, Royal duo looked strong going into lap three after a smooth portage.
Heading into the fifth lap of the 26.2km course they were sitting comfortably in 7th place. They were able to maintain this position around the remaining three large laps and final small lap
Brookes and Montagna finished 7th in their first international senior K2 race with a time of 2:11:24.
Speaking after their race they said:
“We really enjoyed it. We knew going into the race it was going to be tough being a young and new crew in an experienced senior women's field. It was hard battling the headwind off the start but we were happy to make the group and then hold our pace on our own for a lot of the race.”
Elise said: “I've really enjoyed racing against senior women at such a high standard and I feel like I have gained some good experience throughout the week even in the tough conditions today.
Katie added: “I think I've learned a lot by competing at this level. I would have liked to have done better in the K1, I think I have a better result in me and I've taken a few things away from the race to work on. The K2 was tough but in a good way. It was only the third time Elise and I had raced together so we were both happy with the way the boat ran but we recognise we can make improvements. It has also been great to spend time with other GB paddlers and staff.”
The junior men's K2 race got the action underway this morning in very windy conditions.
Richmond's duo of Flynn Holt and Nelson Kinzler joined forces to represent Great Britain. Joe Enoch (Nottingham) and William Short (Elmbridge) were back in action to combine for the 22.6km race.
Enoch and Short started strong in the lead group. They dropped back to a chase group in lap two.
A turbulent start to the race caused an early swim for Holt and Kinzler. They showed exceptional determination to power on and continue the race.
It paid off as they made up great distance to put them back in the race by lap three.
The heaven's opened in lap three adding another element to already difficult conditions.
The Nottingham, Elmbridge crew had a nightmare on lap five, with rain and choppy waters almost sinking their boat. Their persistence unwaved they endeavoured on to finish the race in 10th place.
After a committed performance to make up for lost time, the Richmond pair crossed the line in an impressive 6th place, in a time of 1:46:28.
In a race where almost a third of the field retired, both British crews did a phenomenal job to push on and finish.
Speaking the Holt and Kinzler after their race they said:
“The conditions were pretty brutal, although the tail wind was a well needed rest after paddling against such a tough headwind. It also allowed time to giggle at all the sinking boats around us. We found the turns extra challenging with the tidal waves hitting us side on.
“Other than us falling in at the start, we are both very happy with how the race went. We were determined to finish the race no matter what happened and we made the most out of the situation we were in. For things we need to work on in the future, we believe a bit more practice in a crowded situation is needed.”
Katie Williams was Team Leader for the European Championships.
She reflected on the success of the team in Poznan saying: “It's been an exciting few days of racing with almost every weather condition possible and the athletes handled everything very well, minus one or two tantrums.
“Watching James get his first senior medals at Euros was a highlight but also to see so many step up at their first major international was great to see. I even managed to get out in a boat with Matt C to enable him to paddle. Massive thanks to my other staff members; Bryn Price, Dave Sackman and Elizabeth Raciborski. We also had Charlie Smith and Matt Enoch who we've invaluable on the portages but also generally supporting.”
You can find a full list of today's results here.
Make sure to check out the Marathon Racing Committee social media pages to catch up on all the action from the Championships.