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.