Sun - February 26, 2006

2006 Virtual Racing - New: 1000m Sprint Race


2006 Virtual Racing

I have received more than 40 entries for the 2005 race including touring kayaks and canoes, folders, surfskis and sea racing kayaks. There were several very fast entries in the 5 mile race:
- 7.34 mph, Dan Murn (53) in Thunderbolt
- 7.26 mph, Dan Murn (53) in Thunderbolt again
- 7.21 mph, David Bartell (55) in Futura S1-X
- 7.20 mph, Bjørn Johansen (60) in Escape
- 7.14 mph, Andrew Folpe (39) in Thunderbolt
- 7.03 mph, Bjørn Johansen (61) in CoastRunner
It seems that Dan can paddle 10 miles with almost the same speed in Thunderbolt.

The virtual racing continues! The race format stays the same with an addition of a sprint race. The idea is to paddle the race distance, 5 or 10 miles, record your results by GPS and submit data for posting. To make entries somewhat comparable the race course should be on water without current and include one or more loops to average over paddling conditions.

GPS is recommended to record distance and time, but you can also use SpeedMate or similar devices.

Required information:
  • paddler name, age, and location
  • race date
  • boat and paddle
  • distance, time and/or average speed
  • optional: maximum speed, average HRM
  • a short description of paddling area and racing course, shallow or deep water
  • a short description of water and weather conditions
  • any other related comments
  • optional: links to your website, boat used or paddling area; pictures of you and your boat, GPS tracks

Please send me your data by e-mail (a form entry will be implemented soon).
The 5 mile and 10 mile entries are recorded as: (1) cruisers with the average speed below 6 mph, and (2) racers with the average 6 mph or higher. It should be easier to analyze the results and you can get promoted to the higher category. I have entries in both tables. The results of supermen paddling above 7 mph are typed in red.

New in 2006: a 1000m sprint race!. Calm or near calm conditions, no current, does not need to be on a loop. I think that this option may be interesting to compare different boats under the same paddler. In that case it will be more important to keep that same effort as measured by a HRM rather than to paddle at maximum speed.

I can add other categories or time trials if there is enough interest and entries. Everybody is invited to race! Solo, tandems or adventure racer teams. Any boat and skill level.

There are already three entries in 2006. I got two entries (5 and 10 miles ) from Axel Thomsen from Texas. On January 9 I paddled my Sea Wind on partially frozen Beaver Pond, tight loops, fast cruising mode, 10lb load and the weight of ice on the deck, ~4.7 mph.

Posted at 06:25 PM    


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