THE annual Rhoose Ski Race made a welcome return to the racing calendar recently after being cancelled last year due to Covid.
The race is the longest-running long distance race in the UK and there was a good turnout with over 25 paddlers, many having travelled from all parts of the UK.
With an easterly wind blowing it created ideal paddling conditions, enabling the paddlers to use the chop and runs the wind had created to their advantage.
The junior paddlers (aged under 16) set off first, doing half a lap of the course – a distance of 3k. The boys’ race was won by Robert Grice of Rhoose and in the girls’ race, Connie Miller of Rhoose took first place, followed closely behind by Ava Wong of Rhoose in second.
The Master and Double skis did a full lap lap of the course (6k). The masters ladies was won by Karen O’Donoghue-Harris of Rhoose and Stuart Wong and Tony Lloyd, again from Rhoose, won the double section.
The Open Men and Ladies completed three laps of the course. Local knowledge of tides and conditions proved to be invaluable to Matthew Rowlands of Rhoose who took first place. He was followed by Simon Garbet taking second place and Steve King in third.
In the ladies, Olivia Geddes took first and Libby Geddes was second.
The club would like to thank all paddlers for turning up and supporting the race, the boat crews for the excellent safety cover and all those who helped organise and run the event.
KH
