Well, we all completed our races.  Some photos will be added to this page.  Thanks to all those who donated so very generously to Stafford and Stone Canoe Club.

 

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Pam Crowley, Pete Tansey, Rob Holdway and Dave Royle are taking part in the Koenig Ludwig Lauf XC Ski Marathon as part of the fundraising efforts of Stafford and Stone Canoe Club.

Stafford and Stone Canoe Club is the strongest Slalom Canoe Club in GB. This year, club member Joe Clarke won the British Open as a Junior.  Proof of the status of the Club along with the long list of GB team members and history of wins at the National Interclub Championships.

 

Stafford and Stone are raising the final £10k for the new clubhouse which is currently being constructed at a total build cost of £580k.  The old wooden clubhouse has long been in need of replacement and, at last, work started in October 2010.

  

Last year Rob and Dave competed in the Engadin Ski Marathon in Switzerland and with 12000 participants.  It was quite an experience.  Dario Cologna – Olympic gold medalist, was the winner with a time of 1hr38.  Rob achieved a creditable 3hr12 and Dave was a little disappointed with 4hr12.

 

This Winter’s challenge is going to be much more difficult.  Engadin had a general downward trend whereas Koenig Ludwig climbs 150m before returning to the original starting altitude.  Koenig Ludwig is also 8km longer !

 

Training for such an event is no easy matter in the UK.  Last year, Rob and Dave did most of their training by running, apart from a few short days of snow in January when Cannock Chase became the training venue of choice.

 

This year, the training has to be more specific, particularly because of all the hills.  For this reason Dave has bought a set of roller skis and those who live in Stone will probably see him “skiing” around the housing estates over the next three months. 

 

Donating will help us complete the Stafford and Stone CC Clubhouse to the standard you would expect for such a nationally strong club.

 

 For more information on our fundraising activities see our website.

 

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