Olympian Gayle Mayes helped steer Mooloolaba to their first Pan Pacific Masters Games (3 – 11 November) gold medal in outrigger canoeing in what was a dominant paddling display at The Spit on the Gold Coast today (Saturday).
Gayle represented the green and gold in sprint kayak at the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games exactly 20 years ago and said the level of competitiveness in Masters sport is very similar to the elite level.
“The Masters division in outrigger canoeing is very competitive right around the world and Australia, even more so than opens competition,” said Gayle.
“We weren’t sure what the competition was going to be like when we got here, but we knew the three other crews would be going for it and it was a really competitive race.
“It seems that everyone is keen to stay fit and healthy and wants to stay in their sport for a lot longer.”
The Queenslanders were too good on the water from the outset taking out the mixed 50+ 8km pursuit race in just over 40 minutes with Brisbane OCC claiming second while Slumbers were third.
“The race was awesome,” said Gayle.
“We decided we would absolutely gun it from the start and we overtook the first canoe by the end of the first lap, so we were going pretty well.
“We managed to take over the three canoes as we really pushed it on the stretches and straights and cut the corners really tight.”
The crew wasn’t short of talent with Australian Outrigger Canoe Racing Association President Mark Forbes hitting the water along with others who have raced in some of the world’s largest races.
“As a team we blended beautifully and the canoe actually felt like it was on railroad tracks,” said Gayle.
“We were really stable, had good rhythm and synchronisation and we used the tide the best we could. It felt really fantastic.”
Today’s event was also a chance for the Caloundra local to catch up with fellow Olympic teammates Denise Cooper and Lynda Lehmann who were in the same K-4 500m team at the 1992 Olympic Games.
“At the end of the year, Denise, Lynda and Anna Wood, who were all in the same Olympic team, will come back to the Gold Coast for a 20 year reunion and go for a paddle,” said Gayle.
“It will be the first time that we have been in the same boat together since 1992, so it will be fun.”
Denise Cooper and Lynda Lehmann led a strong East Coasters side to victory in the 12km women’s 50+ pursuit race and used their experience on the world’s most prestigious sporting stage to their advantage.
“We just love racing, so you go where the racing is,” said Denise.
“The racing here is good and that’s why we’re here.
“I think we’ll come away with a bit of bling, so it makes the Pan Pacs experience that much better.”
The new system was born here and filagra this is not something that we would like to see. Caverta although better in some elements but not important for us.
