Race Day 2

With the scorching hot day turning into a crazy electrical storm overnight we wondered what race day two would bring. Well cooler temps and threatening rain which didn't eventuate meant more comfortable racing. First up Jane and Kelly in C1W. As all go through it was great experience and standing on the river bank talking to Jean Michel Prono from the ICF, he expressed how pleased he was at the level. Kelly paddled a solid first run and a great second run to finish in 7th while Jane improved her overall performance in run two except for one move that didn't quite work leaving her in 12th. Jess Fox was 26 seconds ahead in the heats, but the real test will be on Sunday in semis with Jess as favourite. One of the Chinese looks strong as well as a Canadian girl and a British girl.
 Haven Bellamy was up next in C1M- he started well with some solid paddling but a roll at gate 13th caused some issues , however he recovered to finish well. Sitting in 40th with  30 going through he had his work cut out to make semis in his second run and unfortunately he couldn't quite pull it off.
The K1 was a tight race with 10 seconds from 1-40th, with 40 going through from the field of 72. Malcolm Gibson was off first and posted a good run with 1 touch to be in 36th after run 1. Carl Whitehead attacked the course from gate one and had  a great performance to be 16th after run1. Callum unfortunately got a 50 in the gate that caught many out- gate 15. It was a nervous wait in second runs to see who would make it and for Callum a slick, penalty free run saw his final placing at 26 or 27. Carl on 23rd  and sadly for Malcolm he missed out - that small touch in run 1 costing him a semis place.
Just had  the team leaders dinner and was surrounded at the table by many nationalities- Iran, Sth Africa, Swiss, Italy, Australia and French. Interesting and I was reluctant to go but is was good. The French guy was on the committee and said they had 250 volunteers and 30 of those were down at the course at 3am rescuing tents etc that were victims of the storm that went through. I am amazed they could get 30 people out of bed to help out at that hour.
Everything is running so smoothly and this is the best run junior worlds I have been too. The French know how to do things well. Teams races tommorrow and we have high hopes for the kiwis boys, and the girls to have a good performance.

Race Day 1

In 42 degrees the Junior World Champs kicked off today. The competition in the women's K1 was intense with a course designed by Jean Michel Prono and Matilde Pichery. General consensus was that it was a good course but 15 of the 62 K1W had a 50 second penalty in run 1 ,and most on gate 15, a tight line through a hole that was unforgiving if you misjudged it.
The NZ girls all got through run one without incurring major penalties and were 30th,31st and 40th, however many of the girls who incurred 50's had it sorted in run two.  Of the New Zealand girls ,first up Alana Wood paddled well and was pleased with her result which reflected her improvement in her Europe trip.  Kelly Travers had a solid run with no major errors. Jane Nicholas nailed the top section but had some trouble in the hole and lost her line, rolling in gate 19.This left her in 30th and the prospect of a better result in run two, giving her the chance of a semi final.
Going into second runs the girls had to pull out something special to make top 30 and secure a place in the semis on Sunday.
Alana improved her result and she was happy, Kelly couldn't quite make the time required and Jane dropped too low in the double ups 11 and 12 ,wasting precious time, something that she could ill afford. With many who 50'd in run one, having cleaner runs in their second run the kiwi girls were pushed down the rankings.Only the top 30 go through to semis in the women so the girls now have teams on Saturday and for Kelly and Jane C1W on Friday.
The final  placings - Jane Nicholas 40th, Kelly Travers 45th and Alana Wood 54th.
Tommorrow is C1W ( 20 - all go through), C1M ( 30 go though) and K1M ( 40 go through)and the NZ team is hoping for cooler temps, although the same is forecast.

Racing Tommorrow

 A very hot Foix today, hit 38 so the pool was used heaps.  Boat scrutineering was a long hot process but eventually got all the paperwork done and all boats sorted.
Home from course for all the team and I had managers meeting. Not much that we hadn't already heard but good to be able to ask a couple of questions. Back down to the course to check out the course setting, all quite happy as we have practised most of the moves.
The opening ceremony was great- all lined up and marched through the town. Lots of French called out "All Blacks"  then after opening and national anthems of France and ICF anthem and flag raising the athletes were invited to drinks and nibbles with the mayor of Foix in the town hall. We were just about to leave when the town band started up and dancing and frivolity. Kids starting to meet with others from all over the world- 233 athletes from 37 nations.  Photos will tell the story..
Came back for a swim at and dinner - still 31 st 9pm.
Race times approx  for tommorrow  Alana 13.59 and 15.59  ( NZ 11.39 and 1.59am)
Kelly 14.20 and 16.20   and Jane 14.31 and 16.31.
Live streaming www.foixcanoe2010.com  and wwwcanoeicf.com

The final countdown

Racing starts tommorrow with K1W.   Opening ceremony today and boat control, managers meeting.Friday is K1M, C1W and C1M. Saturday teams and Sunday semis and finals.
Just awake and looking outside to find blue, blue sky so looks like a scorcher today.
Yesteray team had their one white water session at 10.30 am, watched some others teams in the afternoon and then we went up the road a few kms for a recovery flat water paddle on the lake. BBQ dinner and video review. Kidda and I caught up with a few other coaches, managers and parents in the town square for a beer. Very nice being able to sit outside in the warmth.Will post details of how to access race results etc after managers meeting this arvo. Thanks to everyone for their messages of good luck.

Mirepoix Market Photos

Market activity- Kidda in Sue's new hat,  knife artisan, gorgeous fruit and olives

Monday night

Training going well, all paddling and although slots are hectic the team are just refreshing and re familiarising themselves. Yesterday had a quiet day, being Sunday and after our session at 2.30pm got our accreditation and home for a BBQ dinner. All except Callum went into the town to meet up with the Swiss juniors for some socialising - have been trying to foster this so they meet athletes from other countries.
Today our training was at 8.30am and then Kidda, Haven , the three girls and I drove for about 30 minutes to a small town called Mirepoix. Very cute, old medieval , with a market this morning. Sat at a cafe and had lunch and all really enjoyed it. The other boys watched the German and French paddlers and wandered back about 1pm after buying lots of baguettes.
Home from Mirepoix about 2pm and chill out/sleep time for kids -food gathering and cooking for me.  About 6pm the Swiss juniors came for a swim and then when they left we had dinner in our garden and I asked our hosts Andy and Corrine to join us. I use their oven upstairs as needed and tonight was a baked meditteranean tomato chicken dish, pasta with garlic,lemon and beans, salad,bread  then fresh fruit salad with creme fraiche and yoghurt. Was very pleasant and we had wine that I bought for 1.99 euro and it was OK.
Hope to post photos tommorrow, night for now ..

Foix the build up begins

Arrived back in Foix yesterday and met up with Kidda who had flown into Carcassone.  Andy our host had picked him up. The team had a final training with Jonathan in Sort, we packed and drove back through Seu , Andorra and to Foix. Feel like I have done that trip a couple of times and wondered why today I had  a sore knee- Kidda suggested it was due to the number of gear changes on the Pyrenees and thought there might be some truth in that.  Stocked up food again as shops closed over weekend- waived Jonathan off and all team said how much they enjoyed his coaching.
Down at the river it is now tent city- all nations have a tent for gear and with power for vid review. Flags are up and their is a definite change of atmosphere and the training is intense with many nations together in training slots. We are with Russians, Italians and Irish for the week build up.  Callum was T boned by an Italian girl today- all a bit hectic! Met up with some familiar faces including Nathalie from Switzerland, Many  of the coaches and team management are familiar as some do this year in year out. In the town of Foix there are lots of old canoes all decorated by local schools- lots on roundabaouts and down the street. A very festive atmosphere abounds.
It was 31 degrees yesterday afternoon , still warm but a bit drizzly today.
Our training today was at 12.30  and tomorrow 2.30pm.  Sessions start at 8.30 am so a few going early tommorrow for a short paddle at 7am.  Our team just focussing on re familiarisng themselves with course as we did all the intense stuff in our previous block prior to going to Pau.
Everyone paddled today and Carl has not quite fully recovered but better. Jane paddling two sessions as one is with C1W  with a couple of  coaches ( Spanish and French)
The days will pretty much settle into training, video review, lots of food and movies, facebook on laptops.
Hope all is well in NZ, au revoir mes amis or adios amigos - keep muddling up the Spanish and French now!
Internet connection varied today so not always available for skype if you havent heard from your loved ones in the team.