Avery rolls back the years to take first place

The majority went to the RLSCC Hasler Race, where the winter training paid off with at least five promotions.

There were wins from the club’s oldest and youngest competitors on the day, with 1972 Olympian Robin Avery winning division four K2 with Jerry Haycock, from Leighton Buzzard.

Meanwhile, 11-year-old Izzy Bayliss continued her dominance in Lightning races, despite going up an age group, and won her first under-12 girls’ race.

George Urquhart was third in division four, Grace Bell was third in division six and John Carlo Dimaculangan was third in division eight.

Other paddlers promoted on the day were William Pepper, Joshua Perry and Lance Sunga who were all taking part in their first four mile races and all three were promoted to division eight.

The Devizes to Westminster crews continued their race preparation at Waterside C, 23 miles and 35 portages from Pewsey to Newbury.

Will Harte and Neil Urquhart were eighth in the Veterans K2 with Irene Hills and Kirsten Suenson-Taylor tenth in the ladies’ race and Mark Latchem finished was 20th in men’s K1.