Wednesday, July 19, 2017

DAY ONE, C1M

"Tough course" was the feedback when wandering the course the night before Day One of the 2017 Junior U23 World Cup.   That opinion only slightly softened after the course was tweaked before / after demos & forerunners the next day.

Despite this, the C1M U23 team comprising Patrick Washer, Callum Gilbert and James Thwaite, and C1M junior team of Josh Bell, Jack Egan and Stewart Bloor left it all on the course in both heats.   

The rest of the team and supporters were there running alongside these guys in full support the entire length of the course - GO TEAM NZ.

Tomorrow brings the K1M section of the event -  All the very best guys! 

OPENING CEREMONY

It had it all - dancing, drums, dancing dogs!

The opening ceremony for the 2017 Junior U23 World Cup was held at Eurovea, a shopping centre based on the banks of the picturesque Danube river in Bratislava, Slovakia.  There are around 48 nations, and almost 500 athletes competing in this event, and there were many teams and supporters out in full force for the event.

Brazilian-inspired dancing and drums entertained the crowd with a rousing beat, followed by a flag bearer representing each country parading their flag, before placing it on display with the flags of the other nations.  Jack Egan, our youngest athlete competing for New Zealand, did us proud as flag bearer.

A number of brief speeches welcomed the nations, followed by martial art dance display, and dancing dogs, before the event was officially declared open.


2017 NZ JUNIOR U23 CANOE SLALOM TEAM

NPS COACH, SHAUN PEARCE, and STEP-DAUGHTER, HANNAH






EX-CSBOP COACH, JIMY BERCON



Monday, July 17, 2017

VIENNA CITY / WASSERARENA

The last few days have brought training mainly once a day - technique, walkbacks, full runs, flat water, etc.  The daily routine is interspersed with meals, rest time, uno games, the odd trip to the physio, laundry and the occasional trip into town, ...

A real highlight was a daytrip to Vienna on Thursday for most of the team.  We visited the newly built (as in 2013) Vienna City Wasserarena, where some of the athletes enjoyed getting to grips with a new course.

This was followed by a trip by bus / train from the arena into the central city where food was tasted, and sights enjoyed throughout the older part of an amazing place!