written by Dean Gardiner

Tough conditions

Tough, was how most competitors in this years B to B explained the race. “Really hard work, a lot different to previous races” said many.

Yes that was the way the 6th instalment of the B to B unfolded. A strong headwind and incoming tide made the 11K race the toughest yet.

Initially a 20k tailwind was forecast for the race which put a smile on most ocean paddlers faces. Unfortunately the weather gods changed their minds and threw down a 15-20k north easter creating havoc for many of the back markers.

Whilst the majority of the race is within Sydney Harbour this body of water still has enough fetch to generate decent size chop. What makes it even tougher is the chop is short and comes from all angles due to the reflection off the steep cliffs that surround the harbour. Throw in the various washes created by ferries and recreational boaters and you have considerable movement in all directions.

The prominent direction this year was in your face.

The contenders

As expected this would be a race in three. Cotter, Eckstein and Tim Jacobs were the three but a new facet was added to the fray this year. Due to time constraints and starting between ship and ferry movements under the harbour bridge, doubles started with the singles.

With popularity in the doubles gaining traction here in Australia there were a lot of the two person boats on the harbour for the race this year. And for the first time some very decent crews who really wanted to stamp their authority on the event.

The race is on

The start of the race is something to behold even for me who has seen and done most of these types of events. Watching such a large number of paddlers blasting off the line under Australia’s most prominent landmark is a true spectacle.

All the top guns got away cleanly and the pace was hotly contested up front as single paddlers tried to secure a position behind the faster moving doubles. Out early the combo of Rob Barry and Darren Lee with a bunch of singles resembling remoras (sucker fish seen on the side of sharks) close by.

Included in the remora’s were the usual suspects along with a couple of unknowns. Former swimming champ Tim Fydler was in the lead pack along with Italian kayaker Mattia Colombi and Cape Towns favourite son Julien Calibut.

Woolongong veteran Ian Timbrell wasn’t going to let the leaders get away as he Michael Clues, Cade Barnes Tom Woodriff, Tim Bird and the doubles combo of Jason ‘Matty Newton” Cunningham and Glen “Apples” Orchard made up a formidable second pack.

“The doubles really added another facet to the race today” said Clues. “It made it a lot more interesting than just a hard slog upwind, you could work a bit harder and get the speed reward from getting on the back of the bigger boats.” he said.

Top 3 battle it out

Midway through the race Lee and Barry put the hammer down dragging Jacobs, Eckstein and Cotter with them.

“I really wanted to be in the best spot in the long stretch from Bradleys Head to Manly, so I worked hard to be on the first wash directly behind the double” Said Cotter. It felt pretty good there as they were breaking up the short chop and I was just hanging in on their tail”

Directly behind Cotter sat Eckstein with Tim Jacobs picking up the last bit of the wash on Eckstein’s tail.

“I knew Jeremy was in the hot seat but it was going to be hard to take him on is these conditions” said Eckstein. I had to bide my time on the second wash and hope that I could make a move in the final stretch ”he said.

The last 3k

Round Middle head and with just over 3 k to go Jacobs fell off the wash and it was left to the two Gold Coasters and the double combo to battle it out for the prestigious line honors.

Nearing the finish and in the protected water of Manly Cove Eckstein made his move, Cotter went also and the three boats raced for the shoreline. As they hit the sand it was Cotter, Darren Lee (running from the double) and Eckstein for the final 150 meter sprint.

Cotter made amends for his narrow loss last year beating Lee in the run and Eckstein made a very solid comeback to surf ski racing finishing 3rd overall and second single.

Tim Jacobs came in about a minute and a half behind cotter with the second pack led by Timbrell a further two minutes behind.

Ladies race

In the ladies event Mel Pelly continued her good form in the local races with a well earned and big win from Angie Nicotra and Naomi Countryman.

It was a big effort for many of the back markers in the race to get to the finish and a tough initiation for many new comers to the sport. Cotters record of 40 minutes flat was un challenged yesterday when he completed the course in just over 49 minutes showing just how tough the race was.

Results

The top twenty are listed below all results can be found at:
http://www.multisportaustralia.com.au/RaceTecResults/Results.aspx?CId=1&RId=398&EId=2

Ladies