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S2S 2010
Re: well?
Larry Goolsby
05/30/10 #8530
Erik…..Go to https://register.skitosea.com/Results/ResultsHome.aspx and you can see the results and leg times. However, I just logged into the kayak leg and it had a bunch of errors (like 5 sea kayaks finishing ahead of Brandon). Top Gun went to Brandon followed by Phillipe, Ian, and DJ. The top finishing team was Eric Moll's 'Boss Construction' (which had 3 teams on the course) and they had a significant lead over the second place team. The wind was down at first and increased as the race progressed with the later paddlers actually getting some rides. Weeds were haneous, especially as we went from the second buoy up to the drydock. I'm sure that this affected some paddlers times. It rained a little and I think most racers were thankful for the cooler weather. For the first time in years, I did not get 'Wood' (slang for a wooden plaque depicting 1st, 2nd, or 3rd) but it was the only time I was in a head to head race with another paddler. It just happened to be my tandem partner Shaun. The field has grown so competitive that it will be interesting to see who comes to town in the future to prove their abilities. Hope they know enough to bring a small weedless rudder.
LG
Re: well?
Reivers Dustin
05/30/10 #8531
Just to add some color commentary: I've been rooting around getting stories. I saw Heather's turbo-charged finish with Greg G. and another fairly strong paddler. It was a heart-bursting sprint from the last buoy to the beach. What a show for the crowd. Don K. and I had stopped on our paddle back to see. The whole town of Fairhaven seemed to erupt with noise as they three sprinted up the beach and yes, Heather smoked the boys.
Earlier at the handoff, we watched Phillipe take off, then shock - Hilburn got his handoff right behind. Us locals were secretly hoping our Hilly would take down the big frenchy. And there were chances. It seemed Mr. Bocarra didn't know the course and paddled further than he needed to. But it wasn't enough for Jeff to get him. The guy was just too good. This day.
The weeds worked some nasty magic. I hear that Ian towed a few weeds, but the guy he was near stopped and pulled a bunch off his rudder. There were some other big dogs posting sub-par times, but as you know - there can always just be an off-peak day. I chased Don K and Traci L. but never gained. My worst part was getting into the weed bed near Boulevard park. (I never saw that there before.)
There were some other stories too big for here. But the biggest I have is about LG and Shawn. LG vastly understates it. Those of us that know these guys will remember 2010 S2S for this one. They are such great sportsmen and good buds. But I guess the duel was as big as their hearts. Each one thinking perhaps they would perhaps yeild out of regard, but instead - giving every ounce to the race. Hilde has described the scene at the end as they fought up the beach with Shawn crossing first. Then, the two of them barely able to stand, supporting and hugging each other at the finish. Gasping and laughing like drunk loons.
Hilde so much regrets not having a camera.
Ah, the spectacle.
RD
S2S times–later finishers
danieldalmeida
05/30/10 #8532
Hey All, Well, did my first S2S. Saw lots of surfskis but none on the water since my team had some 'troubles' and I did not get out until around 4 pm. I clocked just on the hour and was wondering how the later starters did with the swell out there.Seems like the conditions worsened after about 230pm start times. I've got about one season under my belt and I needed all my balance to keep upright! Could not really dig hard but it was fun passing all those sea kayaks on the downwinder back to the buoy (while dodging huge clusters of eelgrass). Thanks BHam for the hospitality! Coupeville Dan
Re: well?
Jeff Hegedus <jhegedus@…>
05/31/10 #8533
I got to help Brandon carry his ski to the dock and WHOA!!!, he came FLYING down the path with a 20' wide force field, grabbed the bow in mid stride, and I couldn't keep up with him! We hit that steep ramp with the boat on our shoulders, and I felt him totally, seriously, for real just pulling the stern forward out of my grasp! With visions of the stern bouncing off jagged metal deck grating I yelled “Slower!!” but he didn't yield one iota. I sped up trying not to trip going downhill, imagining what that would look like on the front page of the Herald. We got to the water and I must have blinked, because somehow he had disappeared around the breakwater. NICE JOB BRANDON!!!
Re: well?
Brandon Nelson <brandon@…>
05/31/10 #8537
Awesome race yourself, Jeff!!! Yeah, that was pretty classic on the ramp. I could tell I was dragging you and hoping I wouldn’t hear that “crunch” of a dropped boat. Way to handle it, man. I was beyond focused on catching Joost. It was probably a little comical for people watching at the chip hand-off area… I was standing there, literally yelling for Beau to show up after Joost had already taken off like a bat outa hell. And the RunningShoes.com boys were standing there like a wolf pack, heckling me just as loud. It was awesome energy.
I gotta give a HUGE, HUGE shout out to the “Kiesling Salad-Killer Weedless Rudder!” I was slicing through those floating islands of eel grass – man, I had it hanging off my head, wrapped around my arms, flying off my paddle blades – and I never felt the boat slow down or pick up a single piece of it on the rudder. I didn’t even have a weed guard glued to the hull… just that swept rudder. On the downwind leg, too, I was getting killer rides in good control. That’s where I made up the distance on Joost. Bottom line: Don, you nailed it with that design.
Awesome day out on the water in an awesome talent-pack. Congrats to everyone!
Brandon
