After the record-breaking results of DW 2023, familiar names are in new crews for the 2024 season. Last year, Tom Sharpe and Keith Moule finally beat the practically ancient record set by Brian Greenham and Tim Cornish in 1979. This year, Tom Sharpe has teamed up with Anoushka Freeman, a formidable paddler in her own right. Anoushka has competed for Team GB in five world championships across sprint and marathon kayak, and completed her first DW last year where she finished in 7th place overall for senior kayak doubles.
Keith Moule and Tom Sharpe finally broke that record on 9 April 2023. High water and fast flow (plus a bit of training and skill) helped them finish the race in just 15 hours, 19 minutes, and 35 seconds. (photo: Keith Moule / Facebook)
Brian Greenham and Tim Cornish reminisce about their record-setting run in 1979, little did they know their record would stand unbroken for more than forty years. (photo: Bridget Jackson / Facebook)
At Waterside A, the first race in the series, Tom and Anoushka won the mixed class handily, but in a more exciting twist for the race fans, they came second overall by just 1 minute 39 seconds, five seconds ahead of the second place men’s crew.
Billy Butler and Jon O’Grady and the other top men’s teams can’t be considered slow by any measure, so these results so far go to show just how impressive Tom and Anoushka’s first Waterside was.
Will Billy and Jon keep the top spot at Waterside B? Will Noush and Tom push their limits further? With 425 paddlers at Waterside A, apparently there were a few heated incidents. Waterside B is an out-and-back course meaning it will be even more tactical for the racers and create ample opportunity for a bit of tension…
Tune in via Instagram to watch live, or come back to paddledaily.com for the recap.
Paddle Daily 
Leave a comment