BEHIND THE SCENES AHEAD OF 2021

So heats are behind us and we’re looking forward to 2 days of semi-finals and finals. Some highs and some disappointed. And some tight margins going for us (Kensa in then out then in again, Oli’s C1 repechage), and some against us (George’s two 50s). The team will rave the same number of semi-finals as last year (8), and aim to repeat some outstanding performances then.

That’s all on the water, and reported on the website or social.

Off the water, it’s been really fantastic to have parents arriving for support. I’ve said before that parental support is the primary way kids get on in sport, and not surprising when we see the cheers on the far bank. Many thanks and looking forward to hosting dinner on Saturday night.

The Kiwi Crowd on Tour

Thanks to Sue Clarke, today also presented a brilliant opportunity for parents and supporters to see behind the scenes of the World Champs – as a taster for our own version in 2021. Sue exercised her usual persuasive powers to get Jean Michel Prono and Sue Natoli to break from their duties and show us around the “OVR” (On Venue results), the enquiry desk, the teams’ video review tent, broadcast van …. and of course VIP area (free Magnums).

What an insight, it has to be said. The OVR is a calm nest of video feed, timing, editing, judging and reviewing. Next door, the teams’ video tent is less sedate, amassed with analysts and coaches, able to download and analyse video the instant a run has been finished. What a great service.

It’s fabulous to be able to get this behind the scenes insight, and on behalf of Sue and me, we are indebted to HPSNZ for Prime Minister’s Scholarships to support us here. It helps put in to tangible reality the thrill and challenge it will be to host this event in 2 years’ time.

The only wish would have been video review seeing Geroge’s head the other side of the pole – but that’s sport, and you win some and lose some. Best wishes to paddlers, parents, officials and volunteers and three more fabulous days of racing. Enjoy.

Jean Michel starts allocating roles for the 2021 Championships