Kayaking: Imrie edges out Brown to win

Mana's Kurtis Imrie (left) and Wanganui's Max Brown go stroke for stroke in the men's open race of the Kayak Krazy series at Lake Wiritoa yesterday. Photo/Stuart Munro

Just three seconds separated the first two home in the open race of the Kayak Krazy series in Lake Wiritoa in Wanganui yesterday.

Mana paddler Kurtis Imrie got the jump on Wanganui's Max Brown in the final downwind leg of the open event after they had battled it out stroke for stroke throughout the 10km race.

The two kayakers were among the favourites to take the race after their respective world performances in recent weeks.

Imrie finished fifth in the K1 at the World Junior Championships, while Brown was a member of the K4 that ended the World U23 Championships with a ranking of 13.

Yesterday's race was Brown's first time on the water since returning from the world championships. Wanganui club mate and another U23 world competitor Aiden Nossiter faded to third in yesterday's open.

The 10km race is a part of a series run by Canoe Racing New Zealand. Hosted by the Whanganui Multisport Club yesterday's leg of the nationally recognised Kayak Krazy series, points accumulated by racers will go towards the 10km national championship in September. Points are given for placings rather than on times.

However, neither Imrie or Brown are committed to completing the series, preferring to use the event for training.

Whanganui kayaking coach and Kayak Krazy series organiser Brian Scott said Imrie was still eligible to race in the 10km event at the upcoming nationals.

Top young Wanganui paddler Lachie Cromar easily won the U18 grade event also over 10km, while Tom Cole from Waitara claimed the 6km U16 event.

Wanganui's Erica Tanner won the U18 girls grade and finished second overall in the women's points table to experienced paddler Anne Cairns from Palmerston North.

Just five years ago Cairns was ranked among the top five women in the country.