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.

more photos

Photos

Narrow drive to our house in Nove dev Segres, near Seuwatching WC Seu just before Jess won her C1W

Malcolm training OrthezHaven Orthez

Boys watching WC  Seu                                     View from  where we parked car in at Seu accommodation

Jonathan Marc, our French coachCoaching Sort

River run day 1 at Sort

Course at Seu

accommodation at Pau,  La Ronceraie

Sort , Spain

Front door of the house where we stayed near Seu

The last two days in Seu were pretty full. Had the training session, with gates on the artificial course which gave everyone a taste of it. After lunch back at the house in the village they team did a hard aerobic flatwater session- well only Malcolm, Alana and Callum. Carl's back still sore, Kelly did C1 on the flat, Jane took a rest as she hadnt had any time off and Haven rested also.
Jumped in the car for our planned evening trip to Andorra. The Spanish close everything from 1-4 so timed it to hit the shops. Split up and re gathered later in the evening. Some shopping done- massive blocks Toblerone for 3 Euro seemed to be the best bargain from the boys. Kelly got a ski jacket at less`than half price, Jane had a spend in Zara where everything was 25-30% less than in others Zara stores around Europe. ( Zara a big Spanish chain , very sucessful and used in lots business studies). Also fueled up as fuel cheaper there. Tuesday morning the big pack up. These`seem to be the most stressful times as cleaning up, packing car and boats brings out the worst in us all.  A lovely, hour long, drive through the mountains and we arrived in Sort. the only place I hadnt been to. Had some advice from Col Borrows, Australian team manager and stayed in the same apartments as them.  Very convenient with the slalom gates over the road. The weekly market was on outside the hotel so the girls straight into some shopping after we had visited the supermarket.  Finding opening hours and then  buying food is quite a challenge- always have to be thinking ahead unlike NZ when you can just whip out and get something. After a quick bite of lunch most of the team jumped in the car for a river run. Malcolm had been sick on the way in the car and Carl, still had his sore back ( we organised a massage for him ). This region is stunningly beautiful in the mountains and the river runs alongside the road.  It was the venue a few weeks ago for the World Wildwater Champs ( DR).
Old houses perched right on the edge, geraniums from window boxes, stone bridges, and cafes tucked down alleyways.  I did the shuttle and  parked the car every now and then and snapped a photo of the group.
Later in the evening those who were able did a tech session on the river, just outside our accommodation.
For the three days here , I have divided kids into cooking groups for some team bonding.  Callum, Jane and Carl did a good job of carbonara con pollo ( chicken) salad, bread and watermelon for dessert. Wandered around our small village and everywhere TVs blaring as Spain playing Portugal. Great result for Spain.
Woke up this morning to the most superb day and again did the shuttle for the river trip. The idea is that these trips are low key and like a recovery paddle as tapering towards Junior Worlds.  Dropped the group off ( minus Carl, Malcolm and Kelly) as the most gorgeous spot- hey paddled off under an ancient stone bridge. I had an hour and a half to kill so wandered around the little village over the bridge and up an small country road. Picture postcard` Spanish  garden with grapes along the fence, old stone walls and hunched over Spaniards tending their plot with little stone garden huts. Along a bit further an old chuch- Santa Maria ( seems to be a common name in Spain)  built in 807, some of it in ruins.  I was` the only one there and thought how great it is to get off the beaten track and soak in the environment without hordes of tourists.  Got to the pick up point and sat in the breeze ( now 28 degrees) waiting admiring the majestic stone cliffs, pencil cypress and the river, hoping they all return in one piece with Jonathan.. The kids said the river trip was great, through a gorge and lots rocky outcrops and the water not too challenging. Times like this I wish I was a younger, competent paddler but then I guess everyone needs a driver! On the way back stopped by the old bridge and church and walked over again with the group. Lunch of luscious peaches, pineapple,  bread rolls and some local croissant/doughnut combo filled with custard which was discovered in supermarket yesterday.
In lobby now with internet for the first time in a few days so catching up. Some in pool, some resting, Carl had a another massage, Kelly needing to fix her paddle and have suggested all do homework- think that fell on deaf ears.
Adios for now- will try and upload lots photos. Hope all well in NZ, thanks for emails, love getting news.

Ola

Woke up to the mountains around our village covered in mist, but not long before the sun was scorching. Semis day and everyone a bit nervous and the course always more difficult.  Jane was good at the top but a roll under the bridge took out one gate , up again and composed but quite a hard double up then a stagger- half head and another 50.  Proud of her and they selling Tshirts  here " C1W  half the paddle, twice the women'  The standard has really improved and the top women are going really well  . Lou did well too and think seh finished 13th, jane 16th , so at least they werent at the botom of the field.  The C1W  final amazing with Jess Fox taking it out-  she had 2 touches and still won  and she is only 16.
The team watched all the top paddlers in the world and unfolding dramas , highs and lows of sport.
Luuka had a great semi until gate 16, which were the double ups over a big drop, slipped a bit  and losts some time. Still a very credible performance and her country ranking is right up there after the powerhouse nations-  11th I think?  24th overall The kiwis ran along the river cheering for her and looked great in their NZ uniform. Everyone wants their T shirts-  big thanks to Angela for all the hard work she does organising this for us. Seniors left for Augsburg, we in Seu two more nights then heading to Sort.  Caught up with Colin Borrows  Aussie team manager and he gave us lots info about Sort and said we would love it.  They have Lousie Natoli as their coach.
Full finals results on ICF website. http://www.canoeicf.com/
The Aussie juniors arrived and our guys paddled after the finals  unfortunately they took the race gates down and so just a play session, until a bit later they put some training gates back up- well at least we didnt have to pay.  Training this morning at 10am.
Kelly's boat all fixed- thanks to Galasport tent and repair crew on site. They also gave us some more repair materials.   Carl has a sore back so he rested and we will try and get him a physio  today.
Haven had taken a chunk from his boat, so that sorted too now.
Well team all up, gathering in kitchen for breakfast- demolishing copious amounts of muesli, yoghurt,toast and nutella. Heading off in half an hour so better 'rattle my dags'
Adios

Racing Seu

Callum racing seu

Battery died in midde of last upload so here goes,  tis after midnight and snatching a moment to update.
Luuka ended up 23rd so a good result semis will be exiting today. With the new format the standard is higher so harder to get a good result  ie now French can have 5 instead of three in World Cups. Team will paddle on course tonight with Aussie juniors ,after racing with to share costs. Rest day yesterday apart from a few who went for a run.

Malcolm training

World Cup Seu

Arrived in La Seu last night after a very picturesque drive through the Pyrenees. Very steep and gorgeous views, wild flowers and cute Spanish villages.
Our house on the outskirts of Seu is a very traditional Spanish house in a village of about 40 people and crazy narrow streets that we could hardly get our car through. It is on 4 levels with little balconies, tiled floors and swallows nesting in the eaves. The kitchen is on the top floor with all the views over the mountains and the terracotta roofs and very old crumbing buildings.
Will post photos tommorrow . For now the team has enjoyed the racing today, still going with C2 second runs at the moment. Luuka and Louise racing again soon.
Callum had a very good performance- 2 clean runs and a 5 second improvement from run 1 to 2.
Jane in C1W had a pretty good performance in her first run , however rolled in her second causing a couple of 50s. No pressure as all the C1W go through to the semis tommorrow.
Battery on laptop about to die- more tommorrow