2006 Leipzig Wasserfest- Germany

Bringing home a golden trophy

2006 Wave Festival Ceske Budejovice CZ

Mike , Aaron and Johann pulled out two fast runs to come 3rd in the teams behind Australia and the CZ republic. Congratulations

NZL IJSL Officiating at the World Champs

As teams are expected to provide an official at World champs this was an opportunity thanks to SPARC to have a NZL judge officiating at the World Champs. Kay had previously judged at World Cups and European ICF 'C' Class races.

World Champs Prague the Crowds

While the sport receives a small following of spectators in NZ in Europe the sport is extremely well supported and funded and its athletes are regarded like the NZ All Blacks. The noise of the crowd chanting and yelling support was deafening and could be heard over the river noise by the athletes. Busloads of supporters came in from countries eg Germany and from clubs where their heroes had started kayaking. A wonderful atmosphere and truly a great sight to behold.

Johann in Action

Mark in Action

Mark Yungnickel 30th

Mark raced extremely well in the semi finals today ending up in 30th place the best Kiwi result at the World Champs for a long time. The course was testing, technically difficult and Mark threw down a solid time in the semis with a clean run.

The C1 team finished in 16th position after pulling out a good second run yesterday

Mark makes semis

Mark put down two solid runs to make semis on Sunday. He was looking very sharp as he raced in qualifications finishing in 33rd position. James had careless touches costing him a semis place finishing 44th and Hamish 54th.
The K1M teams run put down a good first run with one dubious touch and warrented two touches, the second run was going well until Jared got a 50, Mike was caught in a hole and the team crashed into each other on the final section and every paddler was given a 50. So with 158 penalties they went from 16th to 24th position.

Hamish in Action

James in Action

Jared in Action

Mike in Action

The team after training

(L to R)Johann,Michael,Jared,Hamish,James,Mark

The Opening Ceremony

2006 World Champs Opening Ceremony

Last night was the official opening of the world champs and after the speeches the CZ's put on a wonderful display of music and timed water features in their famous Krizik's Fountain. The fountain was timed to a CZ composers music and as the cresendoes built so did the water released from the fountain jets and fireworks displayed in time as well truly spectacular. Real water ballet. This was preceeded by a data show projected onto a sheet or wall of water of past World events so all the images shimmered and moved just awe inspiring. The competition is heating up with racing starting Thursday with K1M. All the athletes are looking good and now just need to do it on the day. Our young man leading the team in is the next generation of kayakers . He was 10 and spoke very good english