Stage 3

Stage three was a navigation of the north east of Derwent Water near Keswick. With the sprint points double those available on Stage 2 (which were in turn more than Stage 1’s), the short 250m proved to be the much anticipated ‘hammer-time’ short and fast sprint. The extra dimension of hang-overs from the previous evening’s frivolities weighed the whole field down, but Beans secured her win of the 2012 green cap with a strong start in Derwent Water. Jo Davies was pushed by Paul Harrington for second place. On swimming round the island, Jo caught Beans, and the two girls finished the Stage together. Paul Harrington finished the race at 9:35, for third place and an all-round solid performance. Only 1:30 separated Brett Welch and Nick Savage whose GC times were 23:00 and 24:30 down on the race winner, Jo in 1:55:30. Brett’s (Crazy-Horse) Saturday evening jibes appeared to have wound-up Sav, who put in a very strong Stage 3, and 4 minutes into Crazy-Horse, but this wasn’t enough to reverse the GC standings after Stage 3. Other mentions should go to Em Davies, who did most of the three Stages doing backstroke, Raj Gonsalkorale, an open water novice, Seals and Ali Zander for strong swims.