Irish international Peter Egan of Salmon Leap and English international paddler Jon Simmons held off the challenge of the veteran Deaglun O Drisceoil of Salmon Leap and 21-year-old Tom Brennan of Thomastown to win the K2 race at the Liffey
Peter Egans, Jon Simmons, 1st K2
Descent canoe marathon in Dublin.
This time, they quickly recovered and soon took over the lead with O Drisceoil and Brennan determinedly sticking to their wash.
With only a half flood from the ESB and the water level at an all-time low, progress was slow and the two pairs worked together until the final stretch of the race to the Garda Boat Club at Islandbridge. Only then did Egan and Simmons pull away to win in 1 hrs 58 mins 40 secs.
O Drisceoil and Brennan were just five second behind for second with Jonathan Tye and Stuart West coming home third six minutes later. Seventh and first mixed K2 pair was Jenny Egan and Martin Kolanda.
“We are delighted to win – especially since we had to take special care on the weirs not to damage the boat,” said Peter Egan, who was taking a second K2 title.
Jenny, Martin 1st Mixed K2
Sister Jenny was also thrilled with to make it a family double in her fifth attempt at the race. “I’ve missed quite a few because it would come just before the World Marathon Championships. So the later date suits me very well,” says Egan who has just completed her degree at DCU. Having narrowly missed out on Olympic qualification last season because of illness, she aims to train full time over the next year or so.
First K1 was 3 -year-old Dermot Hudson in 2:04.47. Over four minutes behind was Tomas Jezek, with Anthony Forristal third and Gary Mawer first veteran. Aisling Smith was first women’s K1. In the wildwater class, Michael Brennan was first home. Capsizing at the first weir was Barry Watkins.
Closest battle of the day came in the K2 veteran race, with Tony Dillon and Paul Moroney beating John Ringwood and Ian Wilson by a single second.
Results (selected) K2 – Men: 1 Peter Egan/Jon Simmons 1 hrs 58 mins 40 secs, 2 Tom Brennan/Deaglan O Drisceoil 1:58.45, 3 Jonathan Tye/Stuart West 2:04.46. Mixed: 1 Jenny Egan/Martin Kolanda 2:11.55, 2 Alex Burt/Anna Wise 2:22.06, 3 Caoimhe Ni Chuinn/Martin Hearns 2:32.34.
Veterans: 1 Tony Dillon/Paul Moroney 2:15.12, 2 John Ringwood/Ian Wilkinson 2:15.13, 3 Timothy Beaver/Richard Vincent 2:27.58. Juniors: 1 William Bird/Jack Childerstone 2:31.18, 2 Bronagh Galvin/Tori Keogh 2:57.00; 3 Richard Kelly/James Staunton 3:44.08.
K1 – Men: 1 Dermot Hudson 2:04.47, 2 Tomas Jezek 2:09.12, 3 Anthony Forristal 2:11.38. Women: 1 Aisling Smith 2:23.40, 2 Eadaoin Whelan 3:06.44, 3 Mollie Claffey 3:07.59. Masters: 1 Gary Mawer 2:11.33, 2 Malcolm Banks 2:16.40, 3 Jim Morrissey 2:17.22. Juniors: 1 Jack O’Hagan 2:24.48, 2 Alexander Khlaf 2:34.23, 3 Oliver Khlaf 2:43.27.
Wildwater – Senior: 1 Michael Brennan 2:11.34, 2 Jamie Christie 2:21.14, 3 Iomhar Mac Giolla Phadraig 2:23.12. Junior: 1 Conro Quinn 2:23.34, 2 Odhran McNally 2:27.02, 3 Craig Cummins 2:28.30.
Touring doubles – 1 Fergus Cooper/Paul Scott 2:28.05, 2 Mick Keating/Kevin Murphy 2:30.51, 3 Gerry Collins/Brian Gallagher 2:32.21.
Racing kayaks double – Masters: 1 Anita Seaford/James Threadgold 2:17.17, 2 Ciaran Cooke/Padraig Cooke 2:20.05, 3 Jon Bird/David Pedlar 2:53.33.
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