Comments for New York Mayor's Cup - Live Coverage at http://www.surfski.info , comment 0 to 7 out of 7 comments http://www.surfski.info Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:16:33 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.2 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/532/147/#pc_1563 The race got off to a cracking start with me, Greg, Herman and Zsolt making an early break away from the rest of the paddlers. Aside from the waves coming from passing boats, conditions were relatively calm going up the Hudson River. With the current moving up toward the George Washington Bridge, the group of four up at the front was managing to comfortably average a speed of around 16km/hr. The diamond formation held securely for the most part, excepting for the passing boat wash, where the bunch would disperse to make maximum use of the waves. Just as we approached the George Washington Bridge, Sean Brennan made a surge and pulled up from behind to join the leading bunch of now 5 paddlers with Joe Glickman just out of reach. This would remain the case until we made a turn for Harlem River just 3km further (now 22km into the race). The wash created by the passing press boat saw Zsolt spring a quick gap and advance on the flat water to a 50m lead on the rest. Herman, Greg and I quickly responded and pulled up to Zsolt before he could further open the gap. Now there were four. The Harlem is roughly an 8km stretch of river joining the Hudson and the East Rivers (West and East of Manhattan Island respectively). There was a gentle current against us on the day of the race and the group took it in turns pulling along the flat section of river. I took a lead on the approach to Hell's Gate (30km into the race), hoping to find an opportunity to make a break in the expected rough water section where the East and Harlem rivers converge. This would be my attempt to try and avoid a sprint at the end against the esteemed sprint trio that I was paddling alongside. On the day of the race, however, this section of the river was unexpectedly calm, leaving little room to make an attack. The four held the diamond for most of the way down the East River. Again, some passing boat wash and rebound waves saw the group disperse on occasion and every paddler would take the opportunity to surge when it did. I recorded a max speed of 21.5km/hr on my Garmin coming down the East River, with the current playing to our advantage. With approximately 4km to go in the race, the group of four (Herman, Greg, Zsolt and I) were aligned, comfortably ahead of the rest of the field at this stage. The conditions began to get a little bumpy as we approached the Southern tip of Manhattan Island, with a headwind blowing from the South West. Herman made an advance with a passing swell and a solid interval commenced as the three in pursuit surged to close the gap. Greg was on Herman's tail at this stage and Zsolt and I were just behind Greg. I decided to take a left line, hoping to make maximum use of the current and avoid having to duel it out in a sprint against the big guns. This worked against me as I furthered the race distance that I had to cover and watched a gap open between myself and the other 3. The race was still closely contested all the way to the finish with Greg just boat lengths behind Herman and the same with Szolt behind Greg, with just more than four minutes separating the first four finishing times at the end of the race. All in all, a fantastic race! A special mention to the NY folk for their great hospitality! I'm sure that there are other International paddlers that will share in my great appreciation for the warmth and kindness shown by the respective host families that looked after us. Jim and Sue Hoffman's family (incl. Kate, Emily, Hannah and Charlotte) are like family to me now. I am truly grateful to all of them for the great care that they showed me over the weekend of my stay. They made me really feel like I was at home (I even got to see a little jr. NFL). I must also mention Raymond Fusco for organizing the event. What a superb job he did to ensure that the event was the success that it was. With a great press crew, safety boats and catering crew, it was just such a pleasure to be a part of the event! I'm truly looking forward to being back next year and will be sure to share the excellent account with fellow SA paddlers and hopefully get even more to attend the event next year. - Ian Gray Tue, 16 Oct 2007 04:24:32 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/532/147/#pc_1562 Well done IAN!!!! only been at it for a shrt while and you already 4th at an international race, the hard work is paying off, keep it up! Hats off to your commitment! Saffa brother Barry - Barry Lewin Mon, 15 Oct 2007 22:55:17 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/532/147/#pc_1561 I too was in the race, started in Wave #3 with my partner in our Seda Tango tandem. We were passed by the 'diamond' right by the U.N. By this point, they were motoring hard right, and it looked like they were trading pulls. We did the same, falling in just behind and keeping pace for a distance, inspired by their fluidity and rhythm. After about 500 yards of this, we decided that this was a realm only for superhumans, and we lacked the credentials or combustion engine required to continue. The good Mr. Glickman came by us soon after, along with Eric, etc. and a few others. Kudos to them for paddling a strong race. The conditions this year saw headwinds what felt like two thirds of the way, a slight push from the currents on the Hudson and lower on the East River, and some lumpy conditions around the Battery, but lacked the whitewater style conditions we experienced last year like scenarios from Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. We were alternately disappointed and relieved. Great play by play coverage helped me to visualize what was going on at other points in the course. World class event, world class paddlers, world class coverage. Well done! Thank you also to all the volunteers who assisted in carrying boats, manning reg tables, support personnel, the NYC Police and Coast Guard, and especially to a good friend and creator, promoter of this event, Ray Fusco, who brought this idea from concept to stellar execution. As the Big Apple's song goes: "If you can make it there, you can make it anywhere...' Not only did he make it, he crafted it exceedingly well indeed. - Trilobite Mon, 15 Oct 2007 19:22:04 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/532/147/#pc_1560 I wrote down some of the times and places from the race. 1. Herman Chalupsky 1/2 1:33:34 finish 3:14:45 2. Greg Barton 1/2 1:33:33 finish 3:15:03 3. Zolt Szadovski 4. Ian Gray 5. Sean Brennan 6. Eric Borgnes 7, Joe Glickman 8. Blake Conant 9. Renne Appel 10. Cindy McNett (Double) 11. * 12. Ross Flemer 13. Tim Burke 1/2 1:45:57 Finish 3:49:44 14. Greg Kraph 15. Craig Impens (1st fast touring) 1/2 1:52:07 Finish 3:55:38 One of the competitors drafted a police boat for a significant period of time (several miles). I'm told it is the person who came in 11th, so I left his name off this report. I cannot confirm or deny this is accurate. - Brian Mon, 15 Oct 2007 15:48:10 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/532/147/#pc_1559 Its great to come back and see this coverage. I was in fifth place of the fast touring group (18' sea kayak with wing paddle) at the George Washington bridge, feeling good because I was passing the back of the touring group at that point. I heard a C-2 exclaim "Oh my ..." and I looked left and saw Greg, Herman and the rest of the lead pack fly by. They were on a better line, towards the middle of the channel. I was doing 8MPH and they had to be going at least 4MPH faster. Everyone they passed sped up. I talked to Greg after the race about the fishing line. He took it like a true sportsman. I'm sure he was disappointed but he was matter-of-fact about it. That guy is a class act! Brian Blankinship 4th Place, Fast Touring - Brian Mon, 15 Oct 2007 15:38:15 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/532/147/#pc_1558 Hi There! I was followong the race online from Hungary ,Budapest and it was great, specially that my frien Zsolt came in 3rd.! Congratulations to him and to all the other competitors and thank you for making it possible to check this event online. Welldone! Csaba - Tamas Csaba Mon, 15 Oct 2007 14:22:59 +0100 http://www.surfski.info/content/view/532/147/#pc_1557 Fantastic race coverage! More than fifty years of messing about in boats, I have seen nothing like this. Congratulations to the paddlers and all those reporting. - Jim Murray Mon, 15 Oct 2007 10:53:54 +0100