Comparisons to 2006
There were a lot of comparisons with the 2006 Avon in the leadup to this years race. Thought I'd put in some words about how we went - how soft the 2006 race was compared to this year - and how much I respect those who finished solo.
I was in a team of 4 this year (team 560, mixed) - and only paddled the shallowest first stage on both days, so can only really comment on this bit.
Northam to Katrine required about 5 times as much portage as 2006. Say 1km on foot vs a few hundred metres in 2006. We had a bad grid (as teams should have), so did a fair bit of running to overtake people. Despite running when I could and paddling hard on a faster boat - it was still 20 minutes slower than 2006. Highlights were overtaking a well known paddling identity, and meeting the midnight double plastic crew (who were stoked when I told them they were in front of aformentioned identity - who picked a bad year to try out the double plastic)
Day 2 was pretty sad from a whitewater point of view - but an awesome challenge from a racing point of view. I took my multisport because I felt compelled to destroy my own boat rather than the team ski - the conditions were more suited to a ski. Many rock gardens were already full parking lots, and the quickest way through was over dry land. Overtook a dozen people going high over the rocks at posselts ford.
The highlight was getting through supershoot with team cheering on. Luckily had only a wavehopper in front of me (which is always a good thing) - so had a gap to steer through rather than a plastered logjam.
Overtook another dozen portaging the left channel instead of the shredder at Emu's. Boat was too long for the washing machine, but luckily the ASU crew gave me a nudge, and I landed the high drop successfully.
Mentally I found solace in knowing I was stopping at Stronghills - it was a long way just to get there.
A great effort from the rest of paddlers in my team, from my 2:59 to stronghills (10:30am) - we beat the 1:30 cutoff at Bells by 15 minutes (although I hear they extended this to 2pm), and made middleswan bridge with 40 minutes to spare (and before the first powerboat).
Was also great watching the efforts by the SP crew - shortplastic in particular, what a legend!
Really well done to all those who finished. I hope some of you might be out of bed by now and we'll hear some stories coming through.
Way harder than 2006
Although i can't really comment as i never did 2006 :) but it was pretty bloody hard going in the midnight express....... was a fun race, have healed up & so has my partner.
The lead up to the race was spent fine tuning our portage and exit/entry technique, seeing as though this seemed to be what the majority of the race was, we think it was a wise choice and took us through to day two.
We almost lost the boat at champions, due to the out of the boat in the boat - we decided not to have the skirts buckled - needless to say a quick glance of a rock and she filled up with what felt like 3 tonne of water, after about 10 minutes of inching the boat bit by bit only to have the water suck it back in the main flow, we pretty much kissed the boat goodbye......... then it occurred that if we didn't get the boat out, our exit strategy was that long walk along that cursed train track (which was still wreaking havoc in my knee from our recent escapade) we finally got her out of the jamb, although the rudder did not fair so well (it was great when we needed to turn right, straight required frequent correction strokes though.)
Yes we where def stoked with race position update from jayp, we struggled through a few sections but made it to walyunga knowing we gave it everything we could.
Our highlights where meeting some characters out on the water, also nailing supershoot with some added cheering from the sidelines, camping at coblers added to the atmosphere and was surprisingly way better than expected.
Will be back again. Big ups to all that competed.....