Harbour Challenge 2007

Mar 31, 2007

It must have been the eye of the storm, after watching the rain for 3 days straight, we were glad to see the overcast but near perfect conditions for the day.

Morning Races
Due to a container ship, crossing the race course, the morning course had to be altered. This resulted in a W1/W2 course of 13km, and a W6 course of 19km.

I am also told that the women managed to get themselves into a nice straight line and were ready to go, when the starters boat got out there.

Our champions for the morning races are

W6 - 19km
Open Women - Hammo Titans - Manukau Outrigger Canoe Club - 1:28:30
Open Mixed  - Tarawera Mixed - Tarawera Outrigger Club - 1:30:41
Master Women - Rangaunu - Rangaunu Sports Club - 1:30:49

W6 - 13km  Junior Course
J19 Men - Orange County Choppers - Tauranga Moana Outrigger - 1:27:17
J19 Women - Team All Ova - Hoe Aroha Whanau o Mauao - 1:27:38

W2 - 13km  
Open Men - Double Trouble - Waitakere Outrigger Canoe Club - 1:07:04
Master Men - Cowboys - Waitakere Outrigger Canoe Club - 1:12:27

W1 - 13km 
Open Men  - Bob McLauchlan - Motueka Waka Ama Club - 1:10:58
Senior Master Men - Brian Wilson - Mareikura - 1:15:31
Master Men - Steven Culhane - Waikato Dragon Boat & Waka Ama - 1:18:28

Afternoon races
The wind picked up in the afternoon and provided a little bit extra challenge for the men's W6, women's W1 and W2 races. It is quite a site, to see the entire harbour scattered with waka.

Our champions for the afternoon races are

W6 - 25km  
Open Men - Team Goodyear - Hei Matau Paddlers - 1:46:52
Master Men - Team Phoenix - Akarana - 1:49:12
Snr Master Men - Grizzlies Gold - Taniwha - 1:57:58

W2 - 16km
Master Mixed - Tim and Sandra - Pakuranga Outrigger Canoe Club - 1:27:50
Master Women - Waka Blonde - Kokiri Tai Patu Waka Ama Club - 1:28:50
Open Women - VIP - Hauraki Sports Club - 1:30:56
Open Mixed - Nepia's Inc - Waitakere Outrigger Canoe Club - 1:37:53

W1 - 16km 
Open Women - Bernadine Murch - Waitakere Outrigger Canoe Club - 1:29:45
Master Women - Bonny Davis - Hauraki Sports Club - 1:44:29
Snr Master Women - Katja Hildebrandt - Waitakere Outrigger Canoe Club - 1:47:14

Results
Full results are available here and there are some pictures in our gallery

Unfortunately we must end this story on a sad note. Ken Gilbert from Taniwha Grizzlies, also event manager of the Takapuna Beach Cup, was unable to complete the race with his team, he was taken ashore by one of the support boats and sadly he passed away on the way to the hospital. The thoughts and prayers of all our fellow paddlers go out to Ken and his family in this time of sadness.

Hoe Aroha Whanau O Mauao, Maketu Hoe Waka, Tauranga Moana OCC