NATIONAL QUAD CHAMPS
In her first full season of quadrathlon, Jacqueline Davies has racked up a series of impressive results. But the ultimate test was still to come at the National Champs race…
Kayak queen Jacqueline Davies shares her race
In 2015, fully aware of my running ineptitude, I decided the only way to lesson the racing odds was to incorporate an additional discipline into my racing. Enter stage right the wonderful and incredibly friendly sport of quadrathlon, with kayaking as the fourth element!
Having been involved in kayak racing as a teenager and in my early 20s, I was still the proud owner of a rather retro 30-year old Jaguar K1 kayak and decided to put it to good use. My first quad was in Shrewsbury in September 2015 and I was both very surprised but also absolutely delighted to finish second to the reigning British Champion Jean Ashley. I was hooked!
Following the Box End Quad in July (third lady and first in age-group) and the Shrewsbury Sprint Quad in early September (fourth overall and second in age-group), I was in a great position in the British Quadrathlon Series going into the final race of the season. Held in the beautiful Cornish Town of Bude, the Awesome Foursome Quad was also the designated National Championship race, and it’s not for the faint-hearted – a 1km sea swim, a 30km bike incorporating the staggeringly steep 1-in-3 climb at Millook, a 10km paddle on the Bude canal and a 10km run which follows the coastal path.
BODY SURFING
Race day dawned with rather challenging weather conditions; 60kmph winds were certainly going to make the water-based elements rather interesting! I’m competing against some very experienced quadrathletes, but with swimming being my strongest discipline, I rather enjoy the big waves and the body surfing back in on each lap.
A quick transition and I’m straight onto the ‘undulating’ bike course. What I haven’t bargained on is the additional beauty treatment – the strong winds whipping up the sand mean we’re all exfoliated to within an inch of our lives! I’d driven the bike course the previous day and was sure I’d have to walk the hill at Millook, but somehow I find the strength to ride it, albeit at a snail’s pace. Then, aided by the strong tailwind, I have a speedy ride back into Bude, gaining a couple more minutes on my main rivals by T2.
Although I don’t realise it, I’m over 4mins up at this point, but then disaster strikes – I capsize at the first turn buoy while trying to avoid less experienced paddlers. Due to the depth, I lose about 3mins trying to clamber out, emptying my K1 and climbing back in. Unfortunately, I also badly lacerate my feet during the process.
BLEEDING FEET
I’m still ahead at the end of the windy and very choppy kayak leg by about 30secs, but with my bleeding feet and rubbish running I’m caught by Jean after about 3km. I can’t keep up with her but I’m joined by my partner Cliff, also racing, as we climb up onto the beautiful coastal path. Stunning views herald us and winds buffet us as we run parallel to the sea for a few kilometres before descending to the Lower Wharf in Bude for a sprint to the finish.
What a brilliant race it’s been, so very aptly named the Awesome Foursome. I’m thrilled to be crowned runner-up to a very worthy winner in the British Champs, and taking the age-group prize. Plus I was also the BQA annual series age-group winner in the process – not bad for my first full season of quad racing!