Article provided by Ingrid Juchem

Sydney's Manly cove greeted more than 500 competitors on Saturday  morning with blue skies and 10-knot winds for the start of the 2nd Hawaiian Airline Harbour Challenge, forming a combined  field of 93 canoese  spread over 3 races.

The international event attracted paddlers from Tahiti, Hawaii, Tonga, New Zealand, Canada, Norfolk Island and a who's who of the Australian outrigger scene including 23 Port Douglas paddlers.

The Open and Senior Master women were first to take on the 25-kilometre course.

Starting at Manly Cove, the teams than made their way towards the Harbour Bridge before turning in front of Lunar Park for the return trip.

The Senior Master Women's Team (Jan Ward, Jacky Cooke, Faye Lilly, Wendy Morris, Denise Lee Long and Winnie Shiroma)  race was an exiting event as they also raced against former team mate Cecily Ridderhof, now paddling for Noosa. 

"We were neck on neck with them for most part of the race but at the end they just had an edge on us," Jan Ward said.

the friendly battle resulted in a 5th place for Port Douglas and a 3rd place for Noosa.

With a time of 2:13,06 the open women's crew of Dani Bellero, Kim St.Pierre, Kelly King, Monique Johnson, Jodie Kierle and Lilli Jansen placed 9th in the very strong field.

The combination of the Open Men's  crew was rather unusual.

Peter Beitz, Lee Foster,Steve Grainger and Glen Thorp joined up with Ingrid Juchem and Lisa Phalem. 

They raced in the largest group and placed a respectful 17th. 

"The course was mentally really challenging for us steerers," Glen said.

"By the time  we lined up at the star line, the wind had come up a bit and the traffic on the harbour had increased with a couple of sailboat races going on at the same time - with all the harbour ferry's and private yachts  coming and going on top of it." 

The Master Men's Crew of Kevin Bellero, Justin White, Steve Johnson, Dimitri Stievano, Mick Schuck and Vernon carpenter had a great start holding their own against the top teams.

"We were in a group of 5 other canoes when we crossed paths with a competitor in a sailing race and we almost came to a stand still and that clearly interrupted our rhythm," Justin Whyte said.

"By the time we got going again we had lost a good 100 metres on the others and we just could not make that up again."

Their effort resulted in a well-earned 8th place in the time of 2:03,59.

Former club member and long time Port Douglas residents, Bill Ridderhof, now racing for Noosa,  came 1st with his crew in the Golden Master Men

The club is now looking forward to introduce some interested people to the sport during their annual open days this Saturday 7th March  from 3pm and Sunday 8th March from 7am to 10.30 am. 

Come and meet them at the southern end of Four Mile Beach, at the end of Barrier Street and have a go yourself.