The inaugral Bucks Quacky Races took place in june 2008 at Broughton Lakes off the Aylesbury Arm. The turnout was impressive with over 12 competitors, and dozens of supporters.
The show kicked off with a display from the Royal Canadian Goose Squad. Their faultless flying, landing and taking off wowed the crowd who mooed and quacked like they'd never mooed or quacked before.
Refreshments were provided by Diseased Drinks and Carrotoid Catering, and we all sat down to enjoy the feast. Little did we know things were about to get even better!
The event had been organised by the Devilish Ducks, Aylesbury's local team, and they'd really pushed the boat out. All heads turned as a beautiful melody floated across the water, and beaks dropped when we saw the world famous International Duck Orchestra. My beak didn't drop of course, I dont have a beak, but I can assure you that I was suitably impressed.
At 1pm the serious business of the day started. A hush came over the lake as the competitors warmed up, overlooked by their trainers. The favourite - Bernie the Birmingham Basher stared out his competitors in an awesome display of psychological supremecy, lost only on Nadia the Nut who thought he was making a pass at her. Local favourite Buck ("The Duck") looked in fine shape.
The first heat was a hard fought battle seeing Buck take the win a few lengths over the runners up. There were a couple of disqualifications as stragglers took to the air to get ahead. The keen eyes of our referee caught them out though, and they ended up with a 2 race ban. The drama didn't finish there though! In heat two an accident at Cormorant Corner saw Nadia take out the favourite Bernie in a mess of feathers and water. In an interview after Nadia said she thought that Bernie wanted a snog. Bernie lodged an appeal and an official inquiry has been launched to establish whether Nadia had been paid to "take Bernie out". The remaining heats ran without a hitch and we had our final five!
The final started at a great pace with no duck giving an inch in the first 2 laps. The final 3 laps were telling though and Buck was proving to be in the best form of his life as his superior technique took him away from the pack. Obelisk from Oxford put on spirited last gasp dash but it wasn't enough to stop Buck winning by a full 3 lengths.
In a lavish ceremony Buck received his trophy made out of Malted Stoneground Wholemeal.
"QUAACK quack quack quack.
Quackidy quacky quack quack.
QUUAACKKKKK!"
Buck, 2007 Quacky Races
Report by Matt Phillips.
Quacky races' official correspondant.
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