American tandem of Johnson and Kelly surprise many, reach podium at legendary British race There were many story lines for the 61st running of the Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race, or the “DW” as it is known. There was the fact that registrations were up in all divisions of the annual Easter weekend event. There was also the fact that British Olympic champion rower James Cracknell who, with his partner, entered the race to challenge Devizes resident Owen Peak and Dan Seaford of Reading who were making noise to beat the 1979 course record of 15 hours 34 minutes by Brian Greenham and Tim Cornish, who themselves would be in the race for the first time in 30 years. But, perhaps the most surprising story line of this year’s DW that had about 650 paddlers was that a rookie team paddled the unknown waters and 77 portages to take a place on the podium of the non-stop, overnight division (senior doubles).
David Kelly and Carter Johnson, approach the portage at Froxfield. photos by Ollie Harding
Maybe not quite rookies Rookies to this race, that is, for it was Californians Carter Johnson and David Kelly, who paddled a solid race to take third place with a time of 18 hours 7 minutes. It was the team of Peak and Seaford who did finish first in a time of 17:16 followed not far behind by the experienced duo of James King and Richard Hendron in 17:29. Cracknell’s team finished at 20:36. The American pair was told that a first-time team was not likely to make the podium of this event. “We were fortunate to be able to do what most said couldn’t be done at the revered 61-year old DW: podium as ‘rookies’,” said Kelly, the 43-year-old experienced endurance racer from San Rafael, Calif. This was especially the case since Johnson and Kelly were not familiar with the Kennet and Avon Canal, the Thames River or the Thames tidal waters which comprise the race course. But, many indicated the challenge for them was in the 77 portages required to circumvent the locks and dams
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2009 DW champions Owen Peake and Dan Seaford posing with their senior doubles medals.