Chester 2009
The Final
This year’s final was a race between:
Dee Naughty Vikings
Connah’s Quay d4e
Rocco's Rowers
Miles of Smiles
For both the Dee Naughty Vikings and the Connah’s Quay d4e teams, this was their first year in Chester. The Rocco's Rowers (who were the Bronze trophy winners in 2008) were back for their second go and for Miles of Smiles, this was now their third year. Tenth in 2007 and just
Lane 1
Lane 2
Lane 3
Lane 4
just fourteenth in 2008, the Miles of Smiles team were delighted to not only be making the final this year, but in having achieved the fastest time of the day as well!
As is usual in a Final, a draw for lanes and helms was held at Race Control involving the four team Captain’s. Dee Naughty Vikings drew lane one and Richard as their helm whilst Rocco's Rowers drew lane three and Peter as their helm helm. Mark was drawn in lane two helming Connah’s Quay d4e whilst Liz was drawn in the outside lane helming Miles of Smiles. Although the only female helm in Chester this year, Liz has years of experience as a Dragon Boat instructor and no one in the event team underestimates her abilities!
Right from the outset the Miles of Smiles team made their break, with Liz putting water between her and the other three teams. Although not always a good tactic as it means a slightly longer route down the course, with the right team it can work - as Liz’s experience showed. Now clear of the other three boats, Miles of Smiles were able to capitalize on their position and superior power to inch ahead on the outside.
Tight racing kept the other three teams together as Miles of Smiles crossed the half way mark first, almost half a boat length up on the other three boats.
Coming up to the 200 meter mark with almost a minute of flat out paddling now behind them, the Miles of Smiles team were starting to tire. Rocco’s Rowers, seeing their chance started a come back, inching ahead of the other two teams and closing the gap on Miles of Smiles.
Fourty meters to go and it’s still Miles of Smiles in first place, Rocco’s Rowers in second and a toss up between Connah’s Quay d4e and Dee Naughty Vikings for third and forth.
