World Cup TV

Looks like Sunday 18th should actually be Saturday 18th- if you get SkyWatch the times and dates are there.
6pm Saturday looks like WC Slalom highlights, the morning one ,8.30am) may be Sprint( Hungary).
Monday 20th 3pm and then Wednesday 22nd looks like 7pm on SS2 and 7.30pm SS3.

last night

Bangkok been great, flying home tommorrow
ICF Rankings out on ICF website http://www.canoeicf.com/default.asp?Page=2480
Also.... coverage of the Slalom World Cups so get to somewhere with sky and watch the following:

Sky sport 2 or 3 Channels 31 or 32

Wed 15th Jul 7pm SS2
Thurs 16 Jul 2.30 pm SS3
Sun 18 Jul 8.30 am SS2
Sun 18 Jul 6pm SS3
Mon 20 Jul 3pm SS3
Wed 22 Jul 7pm SS2

The juniors did so well yesterday.... C2 two solid runs and finished 25th, no 50's

Callum had a great first run and just 2 couple of seconds off the seniors. Jane also a solid first run and she was happy. The results sheet show her incorrect placing so that is being sorted but she was ahead of the Nz seniors.

Some photos of the opening and all the Olympic medallists racing here were presented their race bibs.

Augsberg

Team loving Augsberg and our apartment in the old city. Gives the flexibility to wander through the old cobbled streets to shops, bakeries or just meander.
Had a sobering visit to Dachau. It inspired lots of conversation and makes it quite real as most of the team had recently read "the boy in striped pyjamas' set in Auschwitz.
Last training and boat scrutineering before demos and opening ceremony this evening.
Results can be found www.swidata.com
Race website www.kanu-schwaben-augsburg.de

Augsberg

We left Avignon after an explore of the old city. Really interesting castle- Palace de Papes and the orginal home to the Popes and Catholic Church before moving to Rome. Jane and I did a tour which was great.
We left about 1ish for the second of the 500km drives, past some typical Provence scenes, with grapes in orderly rows, fields of sunflowers and the occasional mass plantings of lavender, to arrive in Biel/Bienne about 6.30pm. Nathalie was all ready for us and cooked pizzas then took us out to a cafe on the lake for dessert (very generous of her). We had a drive up to the Swiss national sports centre and admired the view down over the valley and Lake, being serenaded by cows with bells around their necks. We all stayed at Nathalie’s new house, which was very generous of her ( she even gave up her bed for me) We had breakfast and then a trip into the shops for souvenirs and Swiss chocolate.
After lunch with Nathalie we set off on the last of the big drives, to Augsberg. ( 1500km total over the 3 days) We made good time and got to the course as planned at 6pm with plenty of time to get on the water for an open training slot. Checked into our apartment after 8 and set off for dinner at a very German restaurant recommended by Peter Micheler who owns the apartment and a rafting business at the course . The apartment is right in the old city so great location with access to lot of shops and sites. Dinner ended up being late so a short sleep before up and back to the course at 7am . Good session and then all day free to explore shops etc.
We decided to go back to the course for another open session at 6pm as we had organized a young German coach to help the juniors for the week. All went well and video review and dinner over with time to watch a movie. We have Johnny from England/Nigeria and Jane’s friend Dannielle who is doing a school exchange in Sicily staying with us, so couple of extras in the mix, which is working well.
Now Wednesday and just finished another sessions with Jurgen our German coach. The weather is a bit chilly and have had heavy rain. We are heading to Dachau, a concentration camp this arvo. Internet only at course so will post some photos tommorrow.

Avignon

We left St pe and had a training session at Pau before we hit the road to Avignon. Drove back the road we had travelled to Foix , sunflowers were now in full bloom. We stopped in Toulouse for a picnic lunch and a wander around. Jane and I got lost and arrived bak to the boys waiting for us... makes a change!
Carried on to Avignon and lots of vineyards dotting the country side. The total drive was 5 hours , mostly at 130km on motorways so not too bad. Found our hotel and very nice people and secure gated car park which is a must with kayaks on the roof.
Headed out for dinner and a wander around filled with stories of 11 and 12 years old gypsys stealing stuff. Had a gorgeous( read expensive dinner) in a small enclosed square with a massive church. Then walked down to the Palace de Papes and Pont Neuf ( Sur le pont d'avignon) if you remeber the nursery rythme. Icecreams and then to bed ready for another 5 hour drive tmoro.

massive paella for dinner last night and toffee apples tonight and teaching French the haka

Jane and I went to Lourdes today for an hour as it is just 10 mins down the road from St Pe. the boys not keen so we left after lunch be back for the 3.30 full runs second session of the day. It was quite disconcerting.... lots of old and sick people in wheelchairs hoping for a miracle cure, supermarkets of tacky momentos of Catholism to the extent that images of Mary with flashing lights around her were able to be bought.

They say 7 million people per year visit so a booming tourist industry. We both felt sad when we left.

After dinner we visited the little town of St Pe, it always looks desserted but there were posters for a fete starting today. Unfortunatley the music didnt start until 10.30 so we had a ride on dodgems, toffee apples and came home.

There were a big group of youngish people from Paris who were on their last night of a week of activities and they cajoled the boys into teachy the haka... Callum was a star...

Thursday-Orthez in the morning Pau in the afternoon

The week has gone quickly immersed in rural France at the Sport Nature complex. There are a mixture of people doing all sorts of activities .This morning we were talking to policemen who were there on a course to learn to teach outdoor activities. We are really being exposed to some basic French customs- types of food, language etc. My French has improved heaps as have been trying to practice with basic conversations. We drive along through lots of small villages and some that look very desserted. Many fantastic old stonehouses with creepers, all manner of shutters and pots of geraniums. As we are driving I talk to Jonathan, who wants to practice English and then I get him to correct my French. He was supposed to take an English class at Uni but that time was devoted to kayaking instead.His English is much better than my French and it will take a long time but some basic sentences seem reasonably engrained.
Last night dinner included moules (mussels) and salmon steaks as well as quiche, salad and frites, which went down well with the boys. The mussels were cooked in a creamy garlic sauce and were tres petite compared to NZ, but kids said sweet and delicious, and a Bretagne speciality- the region Jonathan is from. After dinner we talked training plans with Jonathan and received an insight into the French programme and the different training blocks they do. All of the canoe clubs in France follow the same plan but adjust the aerobic sessions to suit their lifestyles eg in winter they do cross country skiing for 3 hours as a club.
We woke up to rain and then travelled about an hour to a new course – Orthez. It took awhile to find but when we arrived it was really nice and the rain had subsided. Orthez course is a narrow chanel off a bigger river with lots of trees around and has some good features at the beginning, with a flat patch in the middle before a tricky feature- a curl off the wall at the bottom. There were two groups of Spanish training also. Some were really young, ten and eleven and paddling all manner of slalom boats from old 4m boats to Galaport, Dinos , specially built for young kids and had traveled from San Sebastian down the coast from Biarritz. The other group were the Spanish junior team who are in training for European U23’s and Spanish championships. Bradyn was not feeling great so he took the day off and Ben paddled Jonathan’s C1.
We had a picnic lunch provided- pretty substantial by NZ standards- bread, ham, cheese- 3 types, tomatoes, hard boiled eggs all wrapped, chips, muesli bars, fruit bars, packet prunes, chocolate mousse dessert. Even the starving boys couldn’t eat it all…

Back at accommodation now after a drive through gorgeous countryside with fields of sunflowers all nodding to the sun. Another session in Pau and kids now in sauna to recover.

Some racing photos from World Cup

Photos at Sport Nature St Pe d Bigorre

Our home at Sport Nature, Hautes Pyrenees. There is kayaking memorabilia all around us here and on the wall are old photos of French teams from many World Cups and World Champs, with autographs from some famous French paddlers. They had a world cup here in 2002. It is a great place for training as several courses are within 40 mins. Tmoro we go back into the natural course at Pau and also going to Orthez for a session.

Above are photos of the lunch when we eat here... today was another great meal . Think it will be hard for the boys to get used to a ham roll when we are self catering again. The awning intrigues ue all as it is extended for sun and rain. In this photo it is only half out, but last night there was some drizzle and we sat outside as warm and humid but staying dry.

There are many buildings, lots of trees and the river just beside us. There are other groups here caving, rafting, kayaking (sit ons) as it seems it is an adventure playground for young and old. We have seen signs that say ' St Pe de Bigorre Fete Juillet 3/4/5' so maybe we will experience a small French town fete on Friday night before we leave.

Some kids having a siesta, Callum doing homework and a couple are watching a movie before our afternoon session at 3.30pm. Still 30-35 and very warm and sunny.

BOP Times

Link to BOP times article http://www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz/sport/news/jones-opens-euro-campaign-with-first-top-20-finish/3900764/

Monday

We farewelled Kidda this morning as he drove with Sandra and Malcolm to catch a plane from Carcassone to near Nottingham.
We now start on a 6 day training block with Jonathan Marc a C1 paddler who was recommended to us by John Michel Prono from the ICF.
He can speak some English and we all need to speak slower, but it is really good for our French.

The World Cup finals yesterday were very exciting and a great opportunity to see some great racing, The atmosphere was electric on the water and carnival like for the spectators. We gestimated that 10,000 plus people were watching, and probably more as some just came for the semis. It was plus 35 and no wind so we all felt the intense heat.
They had a band, entertainment, big TV screens, food stalls, beer for sale... quite an occasion.

On the racing front Luuka was well prepared but caught some bad water at gate 3-4 and then knew she had to try and catch up time, forcing a couple of errors. She finished 19th and still her best ever World Cup result.

There were lots of finals dramas...Martikan missing the finals cut, Hochshorners messing up and wrapping themslves around a rock , it almost looked like they might have to bail. Estanguet got 4th much to the diasppontment of the French crowd- their voices made hearing anything impossible while their French heroes were racing... Le fevre and Dejan Krahl tied for 3rd on 102.77, exact same flat times, 1 penalty each on the same gate.

Lefevre had a great day really as 2nd in C2. the other double medallist David Florence of Great Britain who was 3rd in C1 and in C2. Skantars the only straight C2 in the medals. The c2s were exciting and fast and clean. The K1W won by French favourite Mathilde Pichery who won easily even with a touch, Melanie Peiffer (germany), who had a low world ranking as she followed Jane down the course, 2nd and Jana Dukatova Slovakia in 3rd.

C1 W had its dramas too as leader Leanne Guinea AUSTRALIA top qualifier but got a 50 on the second to last gate ruining her chances of the first ever WC C1 womens medal. The Chinese girl took the honours.
The course was tough for the semis and finals and many paddlers made major errors.

Team had first session with Jonathon and all was good, we are now driving into Pau to try the moves from the finals. We have booked water for 4pm cost 140 Euro for 1 hour but sharing with thers to keep costs down.



We experienced our first sit down lunch at the place we are staying as previously had picnics while racing was on. The French close shops, supermarkets, garages, esp in smaller towns and take a 1 1/2 to 2 hour lunch break. We had the full catered lunch, hot meal, with salad, bread , cheese platter, dessert and fruit. At the course the officials and volunteers all sat down at long tables and drank wine and enjoyed the occassion. No such thing as a snatched sandwich on the run for them. Not sure how they stay so slim.

Photos later heading off now into Pau- 30 minute drive.

Live video finals

Link for live video should be 2.20pm- 2.30pm in France so 12.20pm NZ ?
http://www.paucanoe2009.com/en/?p=186

Racing over in Pau for all except Luuka

Tauranga's Canoe Slalom Olympian Luuka Jones has produced a stunning performance at the brand new Stade D'Eaux Vives Pau, white water centre in Pau, Southern France.
Posting a flat time of 109.25 with a 2 second penalty to finish in 10th place on 111.25.
With only 20 boats making it through to semis Jones was in a comfortable position of 6th after first runs. With a place in semis virtually guaranteed the pressure was off for the second run.
Her career best performance has been a 28th place at one of last years world cups.
After first runs Jones said ' I can't believe it, this has never happened to me'
Jones who is in the kayak squad at Waiariki Institute of Technology has been training hard over the NZ summer and is thrilled that the hard yards are paying off.
Mike Dawson, was fast enough in first runs, in fact would have been 7th, but a 50 second penalty dashed his semis chances, Aaron Osborne also had a 50, while Louise Jull was outside the pace, however had a better second run.
The NZ junior team who were also competing at this World Cup,finished near the end of their respective classes.They all did parts of this big pushy course well, but it is a huge step up.They represented themselves well and benefitted hugely from the experience. It is tough to race in your first World Cup as a junior with all the hype of TV cameras and lining up by Olympic stars. It was all about experience for the juniors and will be a long term benefit for them.
Janer had an unfortunate lesson to learn as was pulled over for random boat control. She failed as was disqualified even though she had done all the right things and had the paperwork signed off. They said her boat weighed 8.98kg at the end of her run, and it weighed 9.03kg when scrutineered. the moral of the story- 'add a bit extra to make sure'
It didnt change any results as she had a roll and got a 50. Lot's of 50's given to even the best paddlers.

After semis and finals ( cut down to 10 boats) tommorrow the NZ seniors face a gruelling 24 hour drive to be ready to race World Cup 2 at Bratislava next weekend, while the junior team has a training camp with a French coach before meeting up with their fellow compatriots in Augsberg, Germany for WC 3 on 10th July.

Good first runs

C2 team posted a solid run of 124 plus 4 in 21st, and run included a roll so all sitting well for next runs and a top 20 place. Jane up next also represented herself well, 127 flat time , but given a 50 on an upstream "half head" flat time good for her on this pushy course. Louise 130 plus 2
Great news for luuka really did well and qualified in 6th
Emilie Fer 106 clean leading
DUKATOVA Jana SVK 105.62 2 107.62
JONES Luuka NZL 109.25 plus 2 111.25
Callum has just had his run great time 104 but given a 50.
Aaron 103.79 clean
Mike 94.91 plus 50 his flat time would have put him in 7th so a great run marred by a 50.

Results WC 1 Pau

Live results here
http://www.paucanoe2009.com/en/?p=18

Friday

Racing tommorrow and things hotted up at the course today. We had an 8.30am, half hour last slot. I stayed at the course and went into Pau while team went back for lunch and some boat repairs. Managers meeting at 1pm then demos at 4pm and there is a live video feed so I spent some time getting the tech stuff sorted. Demos at 4pm then on a bus to the opening ceremony. Back for dinner at 9pm and then video review of the demos.

My two hours in Pau was fun, nice shops and old buildings and big trees frame public squares. It really is a nice area.

The newspaper I bought today was full of the story of the French rugby guy who feigned being attacked to save face, right above the story about the WC at Pau. We got a pretty good reception walking through the square to the opening ceremony with cheering for us. There seems a bond because of the rugby. Lots of speeches and flag raising and French national anthem, followed by some girls dancing in the fountain, doing something supposedly creative with paddles.

Thursday

I am sitting in the athletes village in our tent that we share with Belgium and Poland. The heavens have opened up and we have heavy rain, thunder and lightening. Our session has been postponed until 7 pm tonight which totally stuffs our day up however we are feeling very smug as we went to the beach yesterday. Originally we were going today but as we needed to move from one place to another and get scutineering etc done so we changed plans.
It was lovely. We left Pau about 2.30 and were on the Atlantic coast swimming just after 4pm. There wasnt a cloud to be seen, the water was warm and lying in the sun very relaxing. About 6.30 we wandered down the beach from Anglet to the Grande Plage ( big beach which was actually small) near the old part of Biarritz and found a cute Pizzeria overlooking the coast. The Gibbs seniors and Kidda eventually found us and we had a fab dinner overlooking the beach. We splashed out and had drinks and yum dessert and it was all very pleasant. The sun was a giant fireball, setting and we stayed to watch the last rays diasppear before we headed back to Pau. Unfortunately I have left the cable for my camera behind so will update photos later.
This morning a 7am start to pack up from our lovely cottage at Clos Mirabel and headed to the course by 9am for the 10am session of full runs to find the postponement due to the bad weather. I guess the organisers dont want anyone taken out by lightening.
I dropped off the team and Kidda early and backtracked to a boulangerie I had spotted near the course,for the six baguettes to keep the troups fed after the session. Dedided to be like the locals and had une pain au chocolat et un cafe. Had the smallest cup of coffee ever and sat at the eating bar like the locals... seems an early morning ritual in France.
Currently kids gone for a speedy flat water session in the rain while I stay dry in the tent. No sign of the rain abating so possibly a day for school work. Yeah right!

Tuesday

Another sunny day, hot at the course. Good training session, Malcolm and Sandra Gibb have arrived and they are staying in the manor house on our property. ( we in gate house).

Kids paddled from new course to old course in Pau. Photos attached to show how we could make some eddies at Kawerau.

I guess most have heard that the Manukau City council has turned down the funding request for the new course. All is not lost and they will not be giving up, it may just take longer.

Check out this link to the new course in Wales http://www.cardiffcanoeslalom.com/page-1.html

Fingers crossed that it will happen in NZ as we have seen some amazing courses and well used with flatwater canoeing options as well as the rafting.

Monday

Today while all the team went and had rhythm session on the old course at Pau I walked into the town of Jurancon. Bought the six baguettes and back home up the steep hill to our wee house. from there we all went into the centre of Pau and did a 45 min tour of the castle complete with old tapestries, draped canopied beds, massive dining table that seated 100 and more. From there to the course for the first of the nations trainings and to find that our session had been changed and we missed it. We argued the point and jumped on anyway and the juniors loved it. To quote Callum "i reckon it's mean". Paddling with us GBR and TOGO and after us Slovakia, were heaps of amazing paddlers. All the Olympic medallists are here and it is great for our guys to be in amongst them all. The workers at the course are still laying ready lawn and adding artworks to the old concrete wall as you arrive at the course. After a scorching session where everyone got sunburnt we headed home via the supermarket. we had been invited to a bbq around our shared pool with the other guests. A couple from Salsbury and the wifes sister in law from Oregon. We shared salads and all took delicious tasty french sausages , and it worked out perfectly. The guy had been in the army and kept the kids enthralled with army tales and adventures around the world, complete with stories of fellow compatriots who had lost limbs in Iraq etc Hope all well in NZ

Sunday

A lovely sunny day in the pyrenees . We could see the mountains from the course and some still had a smattering of snow. The race was a reasonably low key affair for us kiwis as invitees in this French race. We arrived and it was more like an NZ race with them still putting out the course. When in Europe you think that all races are big affairs and it was reassuring to the team to see that the French have races like ours, but with a large number of paddlers of all ages. ( 100 plus entries), hand held timing and fairly manual results. They have a system to get their rankings up and this was one of the lower ranked events. (n3 OR 4) N1 being like the French championships. There were still French team paddlers like Mathilde Pichery there and she was doing safety as well as racing. Our guys and kidda, in some borrowed kit did demos, Callum also did foreruns and then were first up to race, one after another. They did really well in demos but the C boaters got some 50's between them in their first runs . The race was a festive affair with French music, a woman making crepes and we needed to bring out our best French as we really didnt find anyone who spoke English. The French, in their relaxed style, took 90 minutes for lunch and second runs started at 2pm. Everyone had a good second race and performed well. We didnt get the full final times before we left but Callum was within a couple of seconds of a top French guy, the C2 after taking the first run a bit lightly were within 5 seconds of a good French crew, Jane and Shaun also putting good runs together and performing well. Everyone enjoyed the day and on the way home found the seniors accommodation and had a cup of tea with them. Luuka and Lou have composed a NZ slalom song which we hope makes it to U tube so we can post for all. Cooked dinner, watched a movie from Bradyns hard drive ( Defiance) and now bed is calling. Have a speed session on the natural course at Pau, early in the morning, then the first of the nation trainings at 3pm on the World Cup course.

Saturday

Today we had a bit of a sleep in and left the house at 10ish. Drove through St Pe and Lourdes to Argeles Gazost for a practice for the race tommorrow.At Lourdes there were massive snaking queues of people in wheelchairs waiting to be blessed we guessed. Argeles is about 10km from Lourdes. We arrived there and checked things out- small course like Reids Farm and our team is doing the demos as well as racing. they were having DR, Freestyle and polo today as well. We had a training and while troups were on the river I walked to supermarket to get goodies for a picnic. Once fed we headed back to Pau and arrived at the new (read, very flash) artificial course to see the seniors training. All were very impressed and it sure looks like heaps of money spent and they all loved the water. We left there to have a session on the 'old" natural river course which was good fun for the team. I headed to the supermarket again and got diverted in a traffic jam , cos of the women's 'tour de france' going thru Pau. Thank goodness for Tomtom as I had plotted the location and managed to get back there to find all team patiently waiting. Home for dinner, internet catch ups and think the kids going to watch a movie before early start tommorrow.

Arrived in Pau

We had a late pizza after last nights training, had hoped to catch up with the Aussie juniors but they arrived after 10pm so only a quick hello. It was a mission to pack and clean up but finally left the house about 11.15 then to course to collect boats. A 2 hour stop in Andorra with a cruise of the shops, then a 4 hour drive to Pau. We arrived about 7.30pm and were totally rapped with our small house. It is the gate house on a large property. The owners Andre and Ann are great hosts. in the fridge was a bottle of local Jurancon wine and we were delivered fresh cows milk full cream, non pastuerised. Our house is at the entrance to the property and is surrounded by large chestnuts, fig trees, large hydrangea bushes in full flower, all crockery is Portmerion and very English/ French decoration and enough to have a dinner party for 12. We have full washing facilities and outdoor furniture and a BBQ, so should be pretty comfy for the next 6 nights. Shaun, jane and I went for a quick walk and checked out the property. There is a large home of the owners, a winery building that has some Aussies staying and we are in the small (cheaper) gate house. There is a pool we can use and the view looks spectacular and we hope it stops raining tommorrow so we can enjoy it all.We cooked a late dinner of spag bol and all kids are chilling on internet at the mo. Tommorrow we head to Argeles Gazost near Lourdes to train for the small club race on Sunday. There are at least 6 courses in this area and Kidda has spent lots of time in this area over the years so the team will get some great training. We may even head to the coast- Biarritz which is only about 1 hours drive. Photos tmoro- hope the AB's win so we can stop the French crowing.

Thursday

This course is buzzing as always heaps of people around. Large fleet kayaks to learn on flat water, lots rafting and big restaurant area with free internet. Lots bus tours and people around all the time.

Went for a walk earlier with Jane and Aaron's girlfriend, Steph , into the town area. Some cute little shops and we bought arborio rice for dinner and some grated parmesan. It is great having the chance to cook as you have to shop in local supermarkets and speak with the locals. We have catered for the 4 day camp on 20 Euros pp and we have eaten delicious meals. The electric frypan and large pot that kidda had at his house in nottingham has been well used. Pancakes, french toast, herbie roast potatoes, rissotto with chorizo and veges, stir fry,toasties in the frypan and more. Large bags oranges at supermarket for 2 euro, melons, peaches, nectarines all in plentiful supply and good price.

Last training in Seu just about to start. Team doing full runs with Ozzie seniors and Italians, Molmenti and co. Still lovely and warm but our house is quite cool so hanging out inside quite alot. We have a paddling pool which Luuka has been soaking in. Will add photo. I had to supervise an exam for her today so she was happy to chill out afterwards.
Cooked early dinner (4pm) , rissotto as hard to juggle food around very early and very late training. We ate at 10pm last night.
Yesterday we went to Andorra to have a look at shops and arrived at siesta time so limited amount open. We were just finding some when it was meeting time. It is a tax free haven and large European clothing brand, Zara is made in Spain and some nice things and discounted. Will go back on the way to Pau tommorrow. We bought tapes and fire wire cable for laptop as someone had lost our other one.
Even boys were into looking as cheap skiis, cameras etc. It is only about 25mins from Seu so an easy drive.
We head off to Pau tommorrow ( 4 hours) for a small French club race in the weekend at Lourdes and then training at Pau the venue for first World Cup.
Hope all well in NZ.

more photos

Photos at Seu

seu D'Urgell

Arrived in Seu at the course 8.30am this morning after a very early (5.30am) start. Great weather 36 degrees. Challenging course, have Aussies and Italians (Molmenti) in our session.
Found our house, 15km from town, and it is classic Spanish country, with old farm house furniture, we have beds for all 11, including seniors Luuka, Louise, Mike and Aaron. Drove up a tiny country road and then a dirt track to find a toothless old women in a pinny, gesticulating in Spanish. Think she is the neighbour, the key was in the door and so we let ourselves in.
It has tiles above the front door 'casa pallares' , a long wooden farmhouse table that seats 10, 3 bathrooms, old day beds outside, wrought iron balustrades, olives, grape vines, outdoor tables, old fire in the kitchen complete with chimney, plus a modern, electric oven ( thank goodness). Almost everyone found a spot for a siesta then we had early dinner outside and at course now with internet, for 8.45pm training session, hence internet, church bells ringing in background and still warm. photos later.

Finals

C2 make finals and finish in 8th.
The finals course was testing and many top competitors got 50 second penalties including the kiwis, however they did enough to move up their placing to 8th in the final.
The event doubled as a pre junior world championship event for juniors and their qualifications result ranked them as 5th although they were the second fastest juniors in the final

Semis

2009 Foix Semis - [ Sunday, June 14, 2009 ]
The C2 crew of Ben Gibb and Bradyn Church squeaked into the semis in 10th place.
Posting a solid run without any major errors they had an anxious wait while they saw how the rest of the crews fared on the tricky course. Lots of drama as the British crew had a popped deck and sunk. They looked like they had missed out until the top qualifiers from yesterday , Troquenet and Voyemant (FRA) rolled and the French crew's chances were over.
Luuka Jones didnt quite get the start she wanted and was off the pace, with an added 4 touches to finish in 14th. The women's tp qualifier from yesterday- Stephanie Horn also had a couple of 50's and she was always out.
Finals racing is live on the internet from 1pm-4pm French time ( 11pm NZ?) Ben and Bradyn runs will be about 2.50am http://team.sports.orange.fr/videos/orange-sports-tv/lives/index.php

Sunday, Semis and Finals

Yesterday another toughie, with the C2 getting a 50 in their first run but then having a goodie in their second run to finish in 12th.
Callum didnt race to his potential in his first run and but not fast enough to make the cut for semis 103.97 His second run quicker (108.49) but a 50 ( that was marginal and we queried of the chief judge) in the same area that has got many people at some stage during the racing.
The junior competition was pretty intense with the fastest junior posting a time of 98.15. Sebastian Combot was the fastest K1 senior with 95.55

A great days racing ahead as the French fight out their championships and the ICF race runs parallel to that. Luuka and C2 are ready after watching demos last night and then reviewing the video tapes before dinner. The course is challenging with the hard stagger changed into an even harder stagger in a similiar position on the river. 20 in each class in semis and then 10 in finals.

Last night we had a BBQ in the back garden and then Jindrich and a couple of his Slovak friends came to visit . He had seen on Jane's facebook we were in Foix so stopped off for a few hours to see us en route from Lyon to Biarritz..... he says he is missing kiwis.

Racing Friday

A beautiful sunny day, plus 29 and the course looked fanatastic. Demos at 10 revealed it had a couple of tough moves, one being a nasty stagger that subsequently got moved 50cm . Anyway racing was a complicated affair with the French national champs mixed in so every class had a whole section of French paddlers first. They have a ranking system here for races so if you are N1 you could enter. Being an international ICF ranking race 6 boats from each country were counted in this race so some of the French were in both races.
Up first C1 with 42 C1's it was tough for Shaun to make semis. The main aim for all the juniors is a good performance as in senior races with only 20 going through it will always be a big ask except for the C2 who have only 21 in their race. Shauns first run had a few mistakes and a 50 at the tricky stagger but he learnt from that and posted a pretty solid second run to finish well and ahead of all the Aussie juniors which is always good. I think his final placing was 33rd.
Jane didnt fare so well, same tricky stagger in run one caused her problems and a couple of 50's. The water flowing very fast and small mistakes very costly. Second run she was having a great run until gate 11 which was a downstream then a spin and then across a big wave to get the next downstream. Looked good until she lost balance and rolled. With the power of the water she was past a couple of gates and no chance of recovery. A great learning experience both mentally and physically.
Luuka raced really well and was in 12th after first runs, and after vid review fine tuned her performance to have another 'cracker', as kidda would say and ended up in 8th. If she can repeat that performance then a final and top 10 is very achievable.
Today is the C2 and K1M, I have just dropped Kidda and C2 ff for a big warm up then collected the morning baguettes and a delicious looking raspberry tart for a dessert treat tonight. Think I could get used to the French patisseries very easily but not good for the waistline. Our accommodation has worked out to be fantastic, kids have been in pool, we have had a BBQ and we eat outside at a picnic table that all 8 of us can fit at. Our hosts are really nice and the fact they speak English is a bonus for helping us find things. I have cooked every night here and team enjoying home cooked meals, even if basic spag bol last night.
The washing machine is great and we have dominted the back yard with a makeshift clothesline.
Will be another big day today as 120 K1 men to race. Last night we left the course at 7.30pm and all pretty tired.....More results later fingers crossed they are goodies.

Thursday in Foix

To avoid the crazy mayhem of the organised training with 40 boats we got up at 6am and were on the river at 7am. It was great as we were the only ones there until 8.30 and the athletes all had a good session. Collected croissants, pain au chocolat and baguettes and then back to house for video review and a chill out- homework, movies etc. Made mac cheese for lunch and ate heaps more cherries that Shaun had picked. We are now giving them away to Swiss team and they giving us chocolate.

Next session 2 pm and after that went for a coffee. Some of the team went up to the castle . I walked from town to managers meeting at 5pm, then cooked butter chicken, rice and cooked cabbage. Kids enjoying home cooked meals and flexibility of when and what to eat.Currently lots of guitar playing, bongo drums and singing with Luuka and Kidda. Callum and Bradyn gone to check out cherry trees in garden. Shaun into town to catch up with some of the Swiss.

C1 and K1W tommorrow. Results will be on website http://www.foixcanoe2010.com/en/

Finals on Sunday will be live on website from 1pm-4pm French time ( 11pm NZ?) http://team.sports.orange.fr/videos/orange-sports-tv/lives/index.php

there are 19 nations with 71 K1M, 47 K1W, 21 C2 and 42 C1M with 6 C1W also.

Semis will be 20 boats and finals 10 boats as per ICF rules except C1W when all will go through to promote the new class.

We have spotted Tony Estanguet and Fabien Lefevre so we are among the best French paddlers here.

Wednesday

Massive day today with two training sessions , one at 11 and another at 5.15pm.
In between we did viedo ,had lunch and drove to a small town called Mirepoix. Gorgeous old buildings all very old and still a working town.
Came back did another session, which was crazy with 40 boats. Jane got speared and we had to buy ice on the way home for her ribs. After another vid session , and dinner - a pasta dish with lots veges cooked while kidda did vid review , then some of us met up with Aussies and Swiss in the town square. The kids came back with Swiss team to swim in our pool. Getting up at 6am to have the time on river before all the craziness.
Will post some more phtos tmoro.
Cheers for now

Tuesday in Foix

Up early to buy food, back pack on and good walking footwear, but alas supermarche not open until 9am and closed between 12.30 and 2pm so at last tried my French in the bakery.
Je voudrais six croissants, six brioche and quatre baguettes- have to say it felt good and I even understood the amount to pay 'onze euro vingt'.
After a very French breakfast of baguette and croissants the team headed to the course to have a paddle . Loked like fun, they were all happy , but did comment on how fast the water was flowing.
Supermarket after that and found a very budget one so shouted ourselves steak and potatoes for a BBQ tonight.
Back to a picnic lunch on our garden table and then a chat to our hostess from Glasgow. They have done 'the year in Provence thing' but have stayed 3 years and look permanent as they turn their house into a Chambres d'hote.
She told us of cherries and wild deer at the bottom of the garden. Shaun, Jane and I went exploring in jandals at first attempt- didnt count on the stinging nettle so back a second time with long pants and footwear. The photos tell the story...Yumm!!!
Training again at 3.45pm with our Swiss friends, some Czechs and Slovaks.
Swiss friends are great we have been given delicious chocolate...Yumm again!

Brief spot of homework being done and then to the river which is about a 5 minute drive.

We left the Merano course and drove all the way to Savona. A stunning drive through Northern Italy and we made good time. Everyone amazed at the number of tunnels, massive motorways suspended on bridges and the speed on the autobahns. Although we did get jammed in a Sunday night, end of weekend traffic mayhem at a motorway intersection, for nearly one hour, near Lake Garda, the drive took just over 5 hours.
We kept thinking we would stop for food but all roadside cafes packed with people so we arrive at the pre booked hostel, very late after driving around in circles looking for it. It turned out to be up a massive hill and some kind Italian who we had stopped to ask directions said ’wait 5 minutes and I’ll come back with my car and you can follow’ I guess cheap was for a reason- it was in the wops and looked like it had been a sanitorium. The redeeming feature was the pizzeria next door that stayed open for us and was tasty and cheap.
We all had a good nights sleep despite best efforts of the boys telling scary stories, to wake to a minimal breakfast- a plastic glass of coffee, a couple of biscuits and a pre packaged croissant. Pretty average and hardly enough for the boys.
On our way about 8.30am, although long , it was an easy drive with lots to look at. First stop Monaco and although parking a major problem we found a spot, probably illegal down by the super yachts and oohed and aahed as we checked them out. Back on the motorway and we tried to find the beach at Nice but ended up at the airport so kept going. We were tourists at Carcassone and it was a great stop. Just wandered around the 12thC Medieval castle before hitting the road to Foix to arrive about 7.30pm.
Our hosts Corrine and Andy, 3 year old Kai and 3 dogs and 1 cat are really hospitable. The house is on a hill above Foix and we have 3 bathrooms and all have a nice bed and there is garden with BBQ and pool so will be self catering for the rest of the week. Went out tonight as supermarkets closed , checked out the course, which looks a bit like Kawerau. The old town of Foix looks interesting and has a castle on the skyline.
Costs are quite horrendous- spent over 80E on road tolls today and about the only thing cheap to eat is pizza which is not good for athletes and non athletes waistlines. I tried a local cassoulet on a set menu which was nice but quite heavy for summer.
We have a booked training session tmoro at 3.45pm and will have a reccy at 10am just to get the feel of the water. We have the Swiss and Slovaks in our group . K1W and C1 race Friday with C2 and K1 men on Saturday, again with 20 in each class advancing to semis on Sunday.
Photos are a mix of trophies, Monaco , scenes at Merano, castle at Carsassone and one of the team in Foix tonight with castle on a hill behind.

Merano racing done and dusted

The ICF finals this morning were a little disappointing for Ben and Bradyn, having a solid run but then rolled at gate 19 and the 10th place didnt reflect their run.
The kiwis got behind Jess Fox who finished a fantastic 3rd, and made me all goosey as she is still 14 ( 15 next week) . The Aussies headed to Marseille and we will catch up with them in Foix.

After a short break the junior races started with just two small changes to the course, at gate 5 and 11 to make it slightly easier.
Everyone raced better- the C2 had two clean runs of 122.29 and 123.80 which was great consistency. They take the first place trophies home, although they are rather large metal sculptures so will be a pain in the van for 5 weeks. They beat a Geramn crew from Augsberg by 9.74 seconds.
Shaun in C1 was heaps better too and moved from 3rd to 2nd after his second run, lamenting one touch too many that cost him 1st place behind Italian Matteo Tognetti.
Jane had trouble with the move from 10-11 and got a 50 in her first run but finally found her straps to have a clean second run to finish fourth with Slovakian Kristina Nevalova winning in 119.19 and she takes home a new K1.
The boys race for the other K1 was a fairly intense affair with 28 starters. Callum had an awesome clean first run 103.34 with 15 year old Jiri Prskavec from Czech Republic posting a time around 101. With Callum in 4th place he had to break out something special to be on the podium and although he raced faster he hit 1 gate to finish in 6th. Jiri the winner on 97.55. A good afternoons racing by all, the sun is out and we will head off after prizegiving in 15 minutes.


Seco

River down overnight, still a bit overcast but heaps more manageable. C2 raced this morning, quite solid just dropped too low in an up and had a hard paddle loosing valuable seconds. Finals about to start , Jess Fox Australia quailified in 7th , great effort from her.

Racing Merano

The fantastic weather left us as we awoke to thunder storms and rain. The racing started with C1 and Shaun our padder on the course. A very tricky course with almost no eddies, due to the rain, in a couple of upstreams and proved very challenging. Shaun did pretty well with a couple of recircs to avoid the 50's that seemed to be prevalent. His second run was heaps better but unfortunately a 50 on gate 11 spoiled his time.
Jane had a similiar fate on her first run with a 50 and a roll,and also improved in her second run.
Both missed the cut of top twenty for ICF race but still have the junior comp in the afternoon tommorrow, Sunday. The C2 looked great and had a very creditable 1st run with a time around 136 seconds finishing in 7th from the small, classy field of 11. They go through anyway tommorrow so second runs didnt have the same meaning and gave them a chance to work on a couple of ideas to go even better.
The afternoon was K1 men and Callum went pretty well to end up 28th after first runs from 44.
By second runs the river was even higher and I think more people got 50's than didnt so virtually no one improved their placing.
A pretty good effort overall in this race of heaps of top international paddlers. I keep reminding them that it is a mostly senior race and it is a great experience to be here at this level.
The C2 will race semis and hopefully get into finals (only 1 will miss). Then all will race the junior race in the afternoon where a brand new boat is up for grabs for the fastest... something to aim for. After that driving south to Savona for the night.
Still raining but fingers crossed for a sunny day tommorrow. Hope all well in NZ, cheers from us all website for results www.scm-kanu.org