Canberra Vikings take out Navy George Bass
The Canberra Vikings have made history, being the first team in 29 years to take out the Navy George Bass Marathon undefeated. The last time was in 1981, when Moruya took out the iconic 190-kilometre, 7-day event from Batemans Bay to Eden.
This year, Vikings made easy pickings of their nearest competitors Bulli and Wollongong City.
In the Women's division again it was the Canberra Vikings crew combined with Metropolitan Caloundra who took out top honour fending off fierce competition from the Woolamai 1st and 2nds crew, who came second and third respectively overall.
Sydney crew North Steyne bounced back after being beaten by Narooma yesterday in the Veterans, finishing first overall, with Bulli and Narooma fighting for second and third spot.
Stephen Mawby from Noosa Heads, paddling in his third ski marathon claimed top prize in that event, while Peter Gallagher from Mooloolaba and Craig Vipond from Kiama finished second and third.
Winning Men's sweep Gavin Hunt said it was extra special to take out every leg.
"We last took out the event in 2006, but I think we dropped one of those legs, so for us to be able to back it up through the whole week was really good," he said.
"We worked our guts out yesterday trying to get the record, and were feeling fatigued today when Wollongong and Bulli really gave it to us. We had to dig in really hard to win today."
Winners are grinners Canberra Vikings / Met Caloundra crew celebrate at Aslings Beach
Caloundra Sweep Jason Bean said his crew had been training for about six months working in the gym and on the water.
"I'm really proud of the girls, its good to have the rivalry broken down between Canberra and Queensland and we worked really well together."
"Today was hard, we had Woolamai right on us all the way but we were confident in our ability to take it up to our competition.'
"Overall, a rewarding and very satisfying Bass."
Marathon Director, Bert Hunt commended all crews for participating in this year's event.
"Win lose or draw every single competitor can be proud of completing this tough, gruelling event," he said.
"The Bass is the longest and toughest surfboat race in the world, and conditions this year provided rowers with a real challenge."
Several rowers were suffered from the elements, with a rower taken to hospital with heart palpitations, a rower breaking her arm, another rower withdrew with back problems, others were treated for hypothermia and the Broulee support boat driver underwent surgery for a broken ankle, broken leg and three broken toes.
Results Day 7 Merimbula to Eden 21 kilometres
Open Men
First: Canberra Vikings 1 hour 40 minutes
Second: Bulli 1 hour 42 minutes 50 seconds
Third: Long Reef 1 hour 43 minutes 43 seconds
Fourth: Wollongong City 1 hour 45 minutes 50 seconds
Fifth: Fairy Meadow 1 hour 53 minutes 07 seconds
Sixth: Surf Boat Holland 1 hour 56 minutes 57 seconds
Open Women
First: Canberra Vikings 1 hour 49 minutes 28 seconds
Second: Woolamai 1 hour 51 minutes 12 seconds
Third: Woolamai 2 1 hour 53 minutes 30 seconds
Fourth Pambula 1 hour 54 minutes 45 seconds
Fifth: Broulee 1 hour 55 minutes 35 seconds
Sixth: Moruya 1 55 minutes 49 seconds
Seventh: Narooma 2 hours, 2 minutes 3 seconds
Eighth: Avalon Beach, 2 hours, 5 minutes
Ninth: Anglesea 2 hours, 10 minutes, 5 seconds
Veterans
First: North Steyne 1 hour 44 minutes 52 seconds
Second: Tathra 1 hour 47 minutes 26 seconds
Third Pambula 1 hour 48 minutes 4 seconds
Narooma 1 hour 48 minutes 17 seconds
Bulli 1 hour 48 minutes 52 seconds
Anglesea 1 hour 57 minutes 1 second
Bermagui 1 hour 59 minutes 39 seconds
OVERALL RESULTS:
Open Men
First: Canberra Vikings 0 points
Second: Bulli 7 points
Third: Wollongong City 17 points
Fourth: Long Reef 22
Fifth: Fairy Meadow 24
Sixth: Surf Boat Holland 35
Open Women
First: Canberra Vikings / Metropolitan Caloundra 1 point
Second: Woolamai 1sts 5 points
Third: Woolamai 2nds 11 points
Fourth: Pambula 15 points
Fifth: Broulee 20 points
Sixth: Moruya 21 points
Seventh: Narooma 30 points
Eighth: Avalon Beach 32 points
Ninth: Anglesea 36 points
Veterans
First: North Steyne 2 points
Second: Bulli 12 points
Third: Narooma 17 points
Fourth: Tathra 18 points
Fifth: Pambula 21 points
Sixth: Anglesea 38 points
Seventh: Bermagui 39
Ski Marathon
First: Steve Mawby
Second: Peter Gallagher
Third: Craig Vipond
