FIRST-time Avon Descent entrant Lance Kime from South Africa has taken out top honours at the 42nd Avon Descent.
While Kime’s extensive experience includes wins in the Dusi Canoe Marathon and Fast Drak race, the 2014 event was his first visit to Australia and first time competing in the world’s greatest white water race.
“I had an unbelievable day today, I was very, very lucky to have my good friend Matthew Dean to work with, if it wasn’t for him, I definitely wouldn’t be standing in first place,” Mr Kime said.
Twenty-two year-old Kime finished strongly in second place on Day 1, just 25 seconds behind day one leader and Perth local Josh Kippin.
After suffering a setback around Emu Falls, Kippin lost valuable time and could not regain his lead position.
Kime crossed the finish line with a time of 09:07:47 to claim the $4500 prize, alongside compatriot Matthew Dean.
Overall results placed Dean third in the event (09:11:45) with second place going to Perth local Josh Kippin with a time of 09:09:05.
For the power boaters, it was a back-to-back win for the Boat 001 crew of Tom Hodgkinson and Dennis Peach.
Hodgkinson and Peach take away the $1500 prize with the winning time of 02:33:48 for the 124km course.
“We had a good day yesterday, today started out atrociously, we lost a few places and were upside down and just kind of had to settle down, and then just had an epic duel with Mike who came second with Perrin, and Todd and Ian as well,” Mr Hodgkinson said.
“It was so exciting, and a privilege to be able to do this once a year, driving down that stretch of water down the Avon Valley is just sensational,” he said.
They were followed by fellow M2 Technology Racing crew Michael Prosser and Perrin Franks, in Boat 007, who came in at 02:38:18.
Third place went to father and son duo Ian and Todd Williamson in Boat 166 with a time of 02:45:53.
Event director Craig Smith-Gander said the 2014 Avon Descent was an “outstanding success”.
“The river levels and fine weather have certainly helped,” Mr Smith-Gander said.
“Our participant numbers were up 10 per cent this year and both the paddle and power competitors were right to the finish line, and while no records were broken, they were all very competitive races.”
The Honorable Liza Harvey congratulated participants and thanked valued supporters of the event at the presentations ceremony at the City of Bayswater’s Riverside Gardens.
“A big thank you to all of the volunteers, the sponsors and the support crews for those competitors, we really can’t do this without the volunteers and we really appreciate the effort you put into it year after year,” Mrs Harvey said.
For the Sprint Stage Challenge, a new initiative in 2014, both days were claimed by the same paddle team and power boat crew.
Paddle winners – Team of four - Reece Baker, Dan Humble, Shaun Rice and Brendan Rice.
Power winners - Tom Hodgkinson and Dennis Peach.
PRIZE WINNERS
Power
1. Tom Hodgkinson and Dennis Peach 02:33:48
2. Michael Prosser and Perrin Franks 02:38:18
3. Todd and Ian Williamson 02:45:53
Paddle
1. Lance Kime 09:07:47
2. Josh Kippin 09:09:05
3. Matthew Dean 09:11:45
4. James Morfitt 09:25:50
5. William Lee 09:55:07
6. Michael Baker 09:56:23
First female single paddle craft - Jenni Bateman 11:15:09
Fastest solo female paddler - Jenni Bateman
Fastest power boat plaque winners - Tom Hodgkinson and Dennis Peach
10HP sports class winners - Tom Hodgkinson and Dennis Peach
10HP standard class winners - Derek and William Baxter
Teams challenge winners
Team of two: Josh and Samuel Maurice 09:56:29
Team of four: Reece Baker, Dan Humble, Shaun Rice and Brendan Rice 09:17:06
Fastest WA male single craft - Josh Kippin 09:09:05
Fastest WA female single craft - Jenni Bateman
Sprint Stage winners
Day one paddle winners – Team of Four - Reece Baker, Dan Humble, Shaun Rice and Brendan Rice
Day one power winners - Tom Hodgkinson and Dennis Peach
Day two - Winners as above