Team UGLOW shines in Kayak n Run at Discovery Bay
French pair Epinette and Laboulais first across the line in shortened race under heavy rain with a thunderstorm a looming threat
Antoine Epinette and Jerome Laboulais of Team UGLOW overcame heavy rain and a shortened race to win the adult race of the Royale International Kayak n Run at Discovery Bay on Saturday.
The pair clocked one hour, four minutes and 57 seconds with Tim Foster and James Park of team All About the Banter finishing just 16 seconds behind in second place in 1:05:13.
Al’s Diners’ Robbie Broomhead and Ruaraidh Smeaton were third in 1:07:20.
The course was shortened due to the threat of a potential thunderstorm, but that never came. As a result, adventure racers paddle 3km in glass flat water ideal conditions with a steep shorter 4km trail run up above the Monastery next to Discovery Bay.
Heavy rain could not be avoided in and out of the race, but that didn’t stop experienced racers Epinette and Laboulais, both from France, from taking top spot and being crowned champions of the day.
The Frenchman have been living in Hong Kong for three years and were teaming up for the first time in the event.
“The race was fun, and I was a little bit surprised about the change of the route. Antoine is very good at running, so I bet on him to push me on the way. The most challenging part for us is the end of the race, because the other two teams chased closely after us.” said Laboulais.
“I was unfamiliar with the Kayak, and Jerome gave me a lot of help. It was a very good team race.” Epinette added.
RESULTS
Overall Top 3 Teams
1. Team UGLOW – Antoine Epinette (France) / Jerome Laboulais (France) 1:04:57; 2. All about the banter – Tim Foster (Australia) / James Park (New Zealand) 1:05:13; 3. Al’s Diners – Robbie Broomhead (United Kingdom) / Ruaraidh Smeaton (United Kingdom) 1:07:20
Mixed Combined Age 36+
1. Team Tiger – Magdalena Cvetkovic (Switzerland) /Chris Davis (United Kingdom) 1:09:33; 2. Gogogo - Cyrus Chui (Hong Kong) /Kin man Tong (Hong Kong) 1:21:19; 3. Bunny Bear– Eugene Tsang (Hong Kong) /Mihoko Tsang (Japan)1:23:54.
Mixed Combined Age 70+
1. Gancarz and Watts – Iwona Gancarz (Polland) / Andrew Watts (United Kingdom) 1:07:24; 2. Dream Chasing Action – Mo kwan Chan (Hong Kong) /Chak Law Ho (Hong Kong) 1:14:10; 3. Lithium – Siu Kin, Iris Mak (Hong Kong) /Cedric Poon (United Kingdom) 1:19:03.
Women’s Team
1. Team Garlic – Kwan Tai Wong (Hong Kong) / Wu Kwai-heung(Hong Kong) 1:21:36; 2. Made by Asphodel – Vanessa Cheung (Hong Kong) /Kim Mi-kyung (South Korea) – 1:24:32; 3. Ladies – Jacqui Donaldson (United Kingdom) / Ame Engelhart (United States) 1:28:11.
Family category (8 am start)
Top 3 Teams
1. Team Dingley – Peter Dingley/James Dingley 00:30:51; 2. Boaty Macboatface – Iona Gladstone/Xen Gladstone –00:31:08; 3. Mito – Oscar Kwok/May Kwok –00:32:10.
