race day 3

Headed off to our first semi finals day taking staggered loads in during the morning so that those who wanted to, could watch the U23K1m semi finals - returning home for an early lunch and then everyone back to the course for the afternoons racing.

Ella, K1 heats

On Wednesday Ella raced the heats of the C1 U23 women for the Cook Islands and did a very commendable job of making her way down a difficult course - unfortunately she just missed the cut for the semis and yesterday she raced heats of the K1 U23 women which is more her specialty. She looked calm and focussed on both her runs but 4 touches each time put her outside of the 30 boats to go through to the semis. We always look forward to catching up with her at the course each day.

main scoreboard and live screen - Callums run

Callum and Finn were our only semi finalists up today in the K1 U18. A scary prospect with a very very competent field. Callum was first off and came down the course well, touching two gates at 7 and 8. Gate 8 was the subject of an enquiry as nobody saw the touch - it was removed by the chief judge after the video review, however they spotted a 50 at gate 6 and despite a full hour of negotiations refused to remove it saying it was clear and concise evidence on the video. This video review is done of everyones semi final and finals runs and times could change. Callums time prior to the 50 being added was 117.73 which put him outside the qualification time for the final . Finn came down the course strongly and incurred at touch at the infamous gate 7, his split time at halfway was up with the leaders but a small mistake further down the course when he spun a gate put him just outside the final qualification time in a time of 110.74, leaving him in 16th place. These two boys have done incredibly well to make the semis in the most competitive field of the competition.
Race day favourites of Michal Smolen of the USA and Jessica Fox of Australia both missed places in their semi finals of K1 U23 showing just how difficult, cut throat and competitive this racing is. Jessica Fox won a silver medal at the London Olympics.

Callum on his semi final run with the new zealand groupies cheering him on

Athletes tents clearing out at the semi finals stage although the team from Great Britain still took up the whole end

tea on the driveway - can you guess whose dirty feet are sticking out from behind the door.....?????

Home for tea at the end of the day - once again eating happened outside - Pavel and Martin and Barbara went out for tea as our treat. Tomorrow is finals morning and the first of the teams racing in the afternoon.

YES - its our man Dan