Flatwater Nationals Draw to a Close | Results
Kate Heeley, Sunday, 12 March 2006 The final day of racing was a fitting close to a terrific regatta - fast and furious racing that gave the spectators plenty to watch. The smooth and professional teamwork exhibited by the officials ensured the very full day went off without a hitch - well done to officials and athletes alike. 
The final day of the 2006 EnergyAustralia Flatwater Canoe/Kayak Australian Championships started with a spectacular sunrise, with the sun shining straight down the lane ropes at the regatta course. It was a pretty warm day at Penrith, but the light winds kept everyone cool and the day went extremely well. Eighty-five races from 8am until 3.30pm, mostly run at 3 minute intervals – it was a superb day of action for spectators and athletes alike. Most of the races were run over 200m, and there were often as many as eight boats finishing within two seconds of each other.
There were many exciting finishes, including in the Celebrity K4 Challenge – Olympians, board members and Penrith City Councillor Kevin Crameri lined up against each other and it was a pretty close finish between the crews, with Shelley Oates-Wilding and her team taking out the race.
Congratulations to Aria May from Western Australia – she was presented with The Raj Award for 2006. This prestigious award, kindly donated by Gerry Brayne, is presented to the best all-round junior athlete competing at the nationals, and is based on attitude, dedication to the sport and deportment.
All in all, it was a terrific five days of racing, and I would like to thank the paddlers, team managers, coaches and parents for their wonderful support and cooperation during the regatta. However, without the team of dedicated officials who worked so hard over the week, the regatta would not have run at all, let alone so well – my heartfelt thanks to you all. It has been a privilege working with you, and I hope you all come back next year !
Kate Heeley
Chair, Australian Canoeing Flatwater Technical Committee
Full regatta results are available below.
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