The Chesapeake Standup Challenge put on by East Of Maui (Annapolis) was a great success!! They had over 100 paddlers show up and race downtown Annapolis, MD this past weekend. People have said it was one of the hardest races of the year so far with some very choppy, mixed up conditions and humid temps, but that is what makes it a “Challenge”!?! The way the water bounces off the walls/rocks and the huge boats going in and out of Annapolis you can almost guarantee some chop but it is worth it.
Men’s 14′ Elite- Chris Goose Norman (Annapolis) took 1st holding on to his # 1 paddle ranking, Brian Meyer (Annapolis) took 2nd, and Rand Perkins (NC) took 3rd. Rand is a pretty cool story, he is in his late 60’s and hangs with the young guns. He had a terrible start and was still able to make up for it and take 3rd. Way to go Rand!!
Men’s 12’6 Elite- Mark Nelson (Berlin) took 1st , Quintin Chiapperino (NJ) took 2nd, and Chris Sperry (Annapolis) took 3rd.
Women’s 12’6 Elite- Corrine Banks (OC) took 1st place, Kate Dowling (Annapolis) took 2nd, and Karen Apollony (Baltimore/OC) took 3rd. You ladies were flying congrats!!
On the rec side everyone deserves a big pat on the back for even finishing. Here are the top 3 in each division
Rec Class Men’s 14′- Brad Elgar, Nigel Raithby, Julio Caro
Rec Class Men’s 12’6- Michael Higgins, Trevor Raithby, Jay Schwarz
Rec Class Men’s Surf- Same Elcik, Kevin Haigis, Charles Bauer
Rec Class Women’s 12’6- Jessica Morgan , Carleen Birnes, Meredith Brandt
Rec Class Women’s surf- Rachel Novak, Emmy Harbo, Samantha Norman
Here is a quick recap from Annapolis paddler Neil Macindoe:
“It started out super hot and humid, but we did get a decent breeze by the start. I almost fell at start and took a header on my board, so I was back of the pack at the start as usual. Brian and Goose jumped out front, and after we rounded Eastport point they were following Mark Saunders in the “lead” boat. They had told us at the racers meeting we could just follow the lead boat, and that we would honor the turn buoy for the short course and then continue down the Bay to our turn buoy. I saw the rest of the lead pack led by Emerson break away and head towards shore, but Brian and Goose were right on the tail of Mark in the boat. I (and they) assumed Mark was leading them on the course so they followed him. I broke away and followed too, and I think Bryan Barton, Wyatt and some others followed me. Finally after about a mile, I saw Mark S stop the boat and start waving us to the right. Then I saw a triangle buoy WAAAAY over almost on the beach to the right. Emerson, Jeff Cook and bunch of others were far ahead by that point, and we all had to make a sharp turn to head back to shore to turn on the buoy. Goose and Brian were far enough ahead that they made the buoy about the same time as the lead pack, but I was way back by then. Then by the time we got to our long course turnaround, the boat traffic was making solid washing machine wave action, I fell at the turn and twice more coming back to Eastport. Tide was ripping against us too, even though we could head straight back with no turns and it was the shorter leg, it took way longer than the leg out. Still a fun, good food and a great Irish band afterwards, so overall a good day. ”
Here are a few pics from Facebook but check out spinsheet mag for more http://spinsheet.smugmug.com/
