ROWING:A BIG flood on the river carries the promise of quick times in tomorrow's Liffey Descent, which runs from the K Club in Straffan in Kildare to Islandbridge in Dublin.
Dry weather in the run-up to the usual early-September slot had led to the race, expected to have about 800 competitors, being postponed. Water levels have risen dramatically recently and the organisers say the ESB will release a bigger volume of water than usual which should bring times down.
Last year’s fastest time for the 28.2 kilometres course was one hour, 54 minutes and 28 seconds, set by the K2 (racing kayak) of Steven Bird and Jesse Phillips.
The two Australians have not entered this year, and Ireland’s Neil Fleming and Peter Egan will target the K2 title. Richard Hendron and James King of the Richmond canoe club in Britain may also be in the mix.
In the K1, Kevin Pierce from Artane in Dublin is set to defend his title. Gary Mawer and Dermot Hudson will also be contenders.
Paddlers from South Africa, Canada and Australia have entered the race, which begins at 12.30.
The Palmerstown weir, five kilometres from the finish, is often a decisive hazard in the event. It will be even more of a test this year, as it has been revamped. “There will be a lot more people coming a cropper there this year,” said Karl Dunne of the Irish Canoe Union.
Mick Scanlon, long an organiser of the race, has parted ways with the Irish Canoe Union. Dunne, says they will soon begin looking for a new ICU chief executive.
