Citroen Extreme Race 2010
Low water levels on the Citroen Rapid saw tight racing in the annual extreme race. 2010 saw the debut of 4-way heats and also the new starting platform. The platform sat 4-5 metres above water level and launched four racers at a time into the flow just about the hardest move on the course.
The event attracted a large field of competitors from all over NZ, many who had made the trek down from Buller Fest one weekend before. The Kawarau river is one of New Zealand's highest volume rivers and racing the grade 4+ rapids meant that there was plenty of action for racers and spectators.
In the women's field their was a formidable field including Jess Brown (NZ Kayak School), Louise Jull (NZ Slalom Team Member), Ngaio Hart (Queenstown Local), Nikki Whitehead (2010 Buller Fest Boater Cross Champion), Toni George (Auckland University Canoe Club) and Katrina & Laura (two strong Canadian paddlers).
The small womens field saw an initial seeding round followed by a semi-final and final. Louise Jull was looking to defend her title from last year, but it was not to be. The final line-up saw Nikki Whitehead, Ngaio Hart, Toni George and Katrina poised at the top of the start ramp. A slow start caused a traffic jam above the crux move and the biggest carnage of the day started to unravel. Canadian Katrina succumbed to the buffer wave and held on for an epic-ride in the micro-eddy against the left wall. Eventually she gave in and the yard-sale commenced. With boat and paddler rescued it was time for some 'paddle-rescue' which almost resulted in a second victim; Nick Hoffman made the small eddy containing the paddle but not without his own up-side down nauseating experience.
Carnage aside the women's race had continued and young Bay of Plenty paddler, and ex NZ Junior Slalom team member Nikki Whitehead escaped the pile-up and claimed an easy victory. A great performance to follow up on her Buller Fest Boatercross victory just seven days earlier.
The men's event was the drawcard with plenty of top-class paddlers keen to stake their claim as Citroen Champion for 2010. North Islanders like Bradley Lauder, Ryan Lucas and Ryan Hunt were keen to show that the North Island is the fastest, while the West Coast crew of Barney Young, Ben Robson, Jared Mitchell were here to steal their thunder. Then the local crew had the inside knowledge on lines; event organisers Roy Bailey and Dylan Thomson alongside Pete Simpson (Pyranha NZ), Cam Thomson (Otago Uni).
As the rounds progressed several notable paddlers dropped out of contention, or got relegated to the loser rounds. The final four in both the chamionship and losers rounds were finally sorted. The Championship contenders were; Pete Simpson (Hawea), Ben Robson (Greymouth), Chris Atkinson (Christchurch), and Bradley Lauder (Rotorua).
In the 'Losers' Final; Sam Murray (Queenstown), Thomas Murray (Dunedin), Finn Butcher (Alexandra) and Marcio (Brasil).
The 'Losers' race was first and Thomas Murray cleared the field for an easy victory after Marcio and Sam had an early collision.
The Championship Final saw a few lead changes, with Chris Atkinson taking an early lead into the bufferwave, before Ben Robson sneaking past during the following eddy-line pile up. Pete Simpson took the best line through the middle of the course and kept his new-found lead all the way to the finish.
The event was superbly run and is setting a new standard for extreme races in New Zealand, full credit to Dylan Thomson and Roy Bailey for the many hours they put in to preparing the race including building the start ramp and takeout tracks.
Extra thanks to the many volunteers who helped out throughout the day and to the Wanaka Whitewater paddlers for running the Zodiac shuttles, post event barbeque (Steve Grieve & the Bailey Family; Kellie, Holly & Jess) and for the time keeping and results throughout the day.
For more photos check out Steve Mullan's Photo Stream on flicker.
All images on this page by Steve Mullan.
