"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!
CSNZ Junior & U23 Teams
Wednesday, July 19, 2017
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.
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.
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| 2017 NZ JUNIOR U23 CANOE SLALOM TEAM |
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| NPS COACH, SHAUN PEARCE, and STEP-DAUGHTER, HANNAH |
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| 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!
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!
Wednesday, July 12, 2017
TRIP TO BUDAPEST
A trip to Budapest, Hungary was a well-earned timeout for the team. Some of the seniors enjoyed a weekend break in the beautiful historic city, while the rest of the team piled into the vans for a day-trip on Monday.
It was a very hot day, temperature up to 35 degrees. Hard to believe there's a wintry blast heading through New Zealand at the moment! A Big Bus tour around to city gave a good overview of the sights and sounds of the city. The team then split up to explore their own particular points of interest...
Monday, July 10, 2017
BRATISLAVA OLD TOWN / SPECIAL TREAT
On Friday 7th July, the team based at Hotel
Diamant enjoyed a visit to Bratislava Old Town.
A beautiful historic part of the city, with the lovely old buildings,
cafes, and statues. Bratislava Hrad
(Bratislava Castle) stands on an isolated rock directly above the Danube River
in the middle of Bratislava.
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| One of the world's narrowest houses - 1.2m wide |
Bit of shopping time at Eurovea shopping mall, interspersed for some with a visit to the laundromat (nothing like having clean clothes!) Well-earned rest time for the team. Mixing it up with the training - bit of stretching time to ease those tired muscles…
WELCOME NEW NPS COACH / TEAM DINNER
Thursday brought the introduction to the junior team of our
new NPS coach, Shaun Pearce, another experienced, and very accomplished kayaker
and coach, who hails from Great Britain, and newly from the GBR coaching team.
We are very fortunate to have the support of all of our
coaches, Pierre, Miro, Shaun and Aaron, who are working together to cover
coaching the paddlers, and doing a wonderful job.
Our first “Junior U23” team dinner was held at Attila
Cunovaka Csarda, in Cunovo (near the course) – thanks Miro for the suggestion. Great
to have a get-together as a whole team. A delectably fine meal was had by all, topped
by a special congratulatory birthday cake for Callum A, Alex, and Josh, all of
whom celebrate birthdays while on this tour.
Special thanks to Sequal Lumber and Frostpine, who sponsored the dinner
for the team.
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