Worcester Canoe Club's Jonny Tye won Silver today, in the Junior Men's K1 race at the Marathon World Championships in Singapore.
The first of the World Championship races to start, in cloudy but nevertheless warm and very humid conditions, the race got underway at 07.45
A good start saw Jonny work his way into the first group that was 5 in number after the first ½ lap in, there were 2 from Hungary, one each from Norway, Italy and Great Britain. They were closely followed by a second group of 8.
At the first of the 5 portages after a full lap, Jonny was in the mix making a very good last minute tactical switch for one side of the pontoon portage to another to gain a better clearer route through.
After 1.5 laps a large proportion for the chasing pack had gained ground to make a leading group 12 in number starting to form.
By the time that the pack arrived at the second portage, Jonny had dropped back from the first group and was in about 6th place after the run through the portage.
Another ½ lap saw Jonny back with the front group however having steadily reeled the leading group in. This ws good tactical racing as excessive sprinting to regain positions would result in serious overheating in a morning’s racing that is getting hotter and hotter in more ways than one.
Into Portage 3 and Jonny is established very solidly in the front group of 4 and looking very comfortable, at the exit to the portage there are now 5 in the group.
½ way round this lap and the group is now 6 in number and developing into a very interesting tussle for the medals.
At portage 4 Jonny is 2nd out in a group of 3 and still hanging on in there and looking very comfortable.
½ way round this lap and the number in the group is back up to 4 with Jonny comfortably wash hanging as he has been doing for large periods during the race. At portage 5 just the Australian, Bill Bain and Jonny are there. It is just a short 800 metre loop around the bridge and back to the finish line, Jonnie leads the way into the buoys, it looks like it is going to be a sprint to the line that is going to decide this Junior Men’s K1 race. Sure enough, the come out of the turn with about 400 metres to go with Jonny Tye slightly ahead. Bill Bain puts in a burst to come through, there is a clash and Jonny has to break his rhythm, a few strokes later and Bill Bain has to momentarily lose rhythm as well, on the line it was Bill Bain who took it with Jonny Tye clearly affected by the earlier clash.
Gold to Australia and Silver to Great Britain! Third place was taken by Hungarian Balazs Gabor Havas.
An extremely well run tactical race by Jonny Tye, who followed Team orders, didn’t do any unnecessary work, kept a steady pace and despite being dropped by the leaders at one time, didn’t panic and steadily regained the distance lost. Excellent portaging and tactical positioning from this fine young Marathon Paddler.
Jonny's medal was soon joined by a Bronze, from Tim Pendle who finished third in the U23's Men's K1 with a time of 1:58:12.
Also, in the Junior Women's K1 Vicki Crouncher finished an impressive 4th, closely followed by Alice Haws in 6th. The pair now know exactly what is required for the K2 race, which is still to come this weekend.
And, in the Masters World Cup event GB's Syson Pendle and Stan Missen finished with Gold!
The Marathon World Championships continue this weekend in Singapore. Information is available at www.canoeicf.com and www.marathon-canoeing.org.uk