Semi finals day arrived overcast and cool. The Kiwi contingent arrived mid morning to meet Callum and Finn who had travelled to the course early for their final preparations with Aaron and Martin on the newly set semi-finals course which had been completed the previous evening during the wind, rain, and delays. The new course was more demanding than the qualifications course and having placed highly in the first runs, Callum and Finn had the opportunity of watching their fellow competitors tackle the new layout.
Callum was away first, looking fast, on line, and comparable with the competition. However a touch on gate 2 put him out of the top 10 going thru to the finals. Finn was second last away on account of his high qualifying result and he looked fast and smooth. However, all errors are punished at this level and an eddy stall in one gate and a touch on gate 16 meant Finn too was out of the final - (Jiri, the current European and World Champion who followed Finn, rolled between gates 20 and 21 and missed out on the final as well).
The kiwi cheerleaders sporting facial tattoos with flags waving were unable to enhance Callum and Finn's performance by the little extra needed to get them over the line. Finn finished 15th and Callum finished 18th.
Callum and Zac had their semi final debuts in the afternoon. Callum had a very nice run with only one touch and placed 24th. What a great result for his first big European competition. Zac blazed down the course and picked up 4 touches to just inch him out the finals. He placed 19th overall. Both Callum and Zac paddled so well against their experienced and talented competitors.
It is exciting for New Zealand to have so many paddlers receive a placing here at the Under 23/Junior Worlds in the top 24.
1 comment:
Congratulations on some great racing to all the athletes and support crew.
Post a Comment