Seniors arrive In Buenos Aires-travelling times

Buenos Aires airport 1am after the delayed flight

Loadingthe vehicles for transport to the hotel for two hours kip-back at the airport four hours laterBack at the Newberry Airport and absolute joy- no cancelled flight and boats being loaded to Foz Yeah boats on and flight on
Travel local carrier

Go the Kiwis and fly the flag high

The New Zealand Flag is the symbol of the realm government and people of New Zealand. Its royal blue background is reminiscent of the blue sea and clear sky surrounding us. The stars of the Southern Cross emphasis this country's location in the South Pacific Ocean. The Union Flag gives recognition to our historical foundations and the fact that New Zealand was once a British colony and dominion. The New Zealand Flag may be flown on any day of the year.

Brazil Itaipu Canal and its significance to Brazil

Itaipu Canal
The Itaipu Canal is one section of the fish migration complex named Piracema Park, designed for the transposition of Itaipu Dam. In Brazilian Indian “Tupi-Guarani” language Itaipu means “the singing stone” and Piracema is the upper river fish migration.
The fish migration was planned to be used for recreation sports and competitions as well. The Slalom and Rafting competitions of World Nature Games in 1997 were designated to the Piracema Park. Unfortunatelly the fish migration complex was concluded only in December 2002, with a parallel channel to the Itaipu Canal while its river bed was concreted, but kept dry. In January 2006 the course obstacles were built in place, with an official water release in February. Finally in May, 2006 the first slalom competition took place in the Itaipu Canal. It was the selection of the Brazilian Slalom Team for the 2006 Slalom Worlds. In September a correction of the slope of the final section of the course was made in order to lower it and make the course smoother at the end.
The canal is approximately 400 meters long, 12 meters wide, total drop of 8,20 meters, from which a minimum 250 meters section will be defined as the competition course.
The Itaipu Canal and the surrounding Piracema Park, its beauty and the natural environment, with its woods and animals, is a unique canoeing complex course in the world. The Inlet Canal, the Upper and the Lower Lake may be used for warm-up and cool-down areas. The Upper Lake is also suitable for different canoeing activities as flatwater, canoe-polo and recreation, while Itaipu and Inlet Canals can also be used for rafting, wildwater and free style.

2007 World Championships Brazil

The first contingent of the Kiwi team head for Brazil on Thursday 30th August with team manager Alison Perrett. James Dawson, Mark Yungnickel, Mike Dawson, Johann Roozenburg,Aaron Osborne and Tania Perrett start training a couple of days after arriving in Brazil. Kidda ( Andy Raspin) from the UK has been employed by the team to offer coaching support while in Brazil.

The C2 crew of Bryden Nicholas and Andrew Robinson arrive Sept 10th.

Kay Dawson NZ's IJSL ICF judge for the event will offer support to Alison prior to the 17th September when the ITO's are officially required for the World Champs.

Training Kiwi Style

ICF Judges

Above international (ITO) and national Chinese (NTO) judges and scribes officiating at the Good Luck Beijing Test event. Twenty-three ITO's out of a pool of 40+were selected for the event. Almost all the ITO's above are also officiating at the World championships in Brazil September

The ICF's goal is to have a core group of IJSL judges for both flatwater and slalom events. A number of judges are qualified in both classes and this is the way of the future. Events being mentioned are World Championships ( Junior, Senior and U23),Olympics,World Cups.

Good Luck Beijing Olympic Test Event- Check your gear!

Kayak gear and designated areas
With the Good Luck Beijing Olympic Test Event event well underway it is probably a timely reminder to NZL paddlers competing at the Worlds to ensure all their gear is of the required standard. Don't assume it will pass check it before departure from NZL and replace if necessary. All the measuring gear will be electronic with print outs of weights and records kept by the boat controllers for matching weights before and after the racing for BV's and boats. Check your helmets as well.

An Italian K1 paddler was DSQ after his BV failed to reach the required standard after racing. It had only just passed at the initial scrutineering. Two K1W have also been given warning for warming down out of sight of the boat control after racing ie they passed a few metres out of the designated area. With Olympic qualification as the goal all officials are keeping strictly to the requirements in regards to gear, designated areas and security. There is no leniency.

All boats and gear will be tested before competition and immediately after racing at the Brazilian Olympic qualification in September.

Judging
Enquiries are allowed and then further discussion requires following formal protest rules within the allocated time frame. Video review is now permitted by the chief judge and jury for verifying calls. FYI The racing in Beijing has had a few water splash 2 second penalties removed and one 50 penalty removed. If the video proves ineffective due to an angle then the gate judges call hold true.

Check the penalty rulings ICF website no 29 if you have any doubt as to any of the rulings.

Video
Check the correct feed is available for downloading the professional video from the runs and have available DVDs to back it up off the computers after the racing finishes for the day. All racing is now videoed at TV quality.

2007 Good Luck Beijing Olympic Test Event

C2M and K1W Qualifications

The Hochshorners took almost two seconds off their time to finish in 204.96, four seconds clear of the Luquet brothers from France.
Jana Dukatova emulated the Hochshorner brothers with an emphatic five second win in the women's heats. The Slovakian world champion mastered the Olympic course with two fast times and just one two second penalty on the second run to finish with a total of 203.56. Li Jingjing of China was second in 208.56 and Marcela Sadilova a distant third in 215.35 highlighting the challenges of the water for many of the competitors.
Tomorrow sees the final day of competition at the Good Luck Beijing Olympic test event and the semi finals and finals of the C2 men and K1 women's classes.
Event website and results
http://www.canoe2007.org.cn/en/slalom/

Olympic Champ Tony Estanguet Breaks paddle

"I came here for the title but the accident really depressed me," said Olympic C-1 champion Tony Estanguet of France who broke his paddle in today’s semifinal race at the "Good Luck Beijing" 2007 Canoe/Kayak Slalom Open. Commenting on the unexpected blow, Tony said: "Actually the No.13 and 14 gates are rather difficult while I chose a route which required me to use my paddle to control my body. It's the first time I ran up against such a situation and my movements led to the accident.""It usually takes me one month to get familiar with a new course, but this time I only had a short time to adapt myself to the course," recalled Tony, a hot favorite for the men's C-1 title after yesterday's heats. "I was pretty excited before the tournament and hoped to do a good job here, but now I have to readjust myself, as one has to get himself well prepared before he can achieve anything." "Anyway, I hope it's the last time I encounter such kind of situation," the double Olympic champion said.

C1 Nico Bettge wins gold

In the men's C-1 final held this afternoon, Nico Bettge of Germany came out on top to win the first gold of the current "Good Luck Beijing" 2007 Canoe/Kayak Slalom Open. After the final race, the German paddler seemed very excited about his victory. "I'm very, very happy," he said, his voice shocked with excessive emotion. "The gold medal means a lot to me."
With the best two-run totals in both the semifinals and finals Nico Bettge displayed his strength and won the title with indisputable superiority. Commenting on the course, he described it as the "best in the world." He said, "Everything here is great, and I'm very happy to win the gold medal here."
The newly-built racing course at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park has posed great challenges to the participating paddlers. In the men's K-1 heats on the opening day, Nico Bettge's teammate, Alexander Grimm, who currently ranks first in the world rankings, was unexpectedly eliminated from the semifinals. In today's semifinals, Tony Estanguet, double Olympic champion of France, had to pull out of the race due to a broken paddle. "I know the course is too difficult, especially at the turnings," said Nico Bettge. "I heard Tony's paddle was broken, and it was really bad news."
Asked what he expected from the Beijing Olympic Games, the Germany paddler said, "I have to qualify for the Games first, which should not be easy as we have too many top paddlers in our country. However, I believe I will get a chance to compete in Beijing next year."

Finals Beijing K1M and C1M

Australian Canoeing
Richard Fox, Friday, 17 August 2007
Anthony Brown qualified for the final and finished ninth at the Good Luck Beijing Olympic Test Event.
Anthony Brown’s result today at the Shunyi Olympic rowing and canoeing centre was the first top ten performance by an Australian in the K1 class at a major competition in two years and a promising sign a month out from the world championships and the Olympic Qualification event.
Brown was fourth of the fifteen qualifiers to start in the semi final posting a clean run score of 99.05 seconds. When the last man down the course, Erik Pfanmoller of Germany, missed gate five on the first attempt the door to the final opened for the Australian and Brown held on to the precious tenth position and a finals berth.
The French dominated the semi final with world champion, Julien Billaut, and newcomer, Pierre Bourliaud in the top two positions with scores of 93.01 and 93.33 seconds respectively.
In the final, Anthony Brown improved his run through the difficult middle section and cleaned the course but struggled towards the end finishing with a total time of 199.29 seconds.
Scott Parsons of the USA moved from eighth to third with a trademark second run charge finishing with 189.72 seconds. Fabien Dorfler of Germany also climbed through the ranks from fifth to second with a total of 188.92.
Both men were finally pipped by Billaut who just held on to his lead to win in 188.02 seconds.
Brown was pleased with his effort but acknowledged he had made mistakes “I was too straight on the second big drop and did not get the kick I needed to push me into the upstream gate. On the second run I got caught in the stopper coming out of the last upstream and that cost me time. Otherwise, I am pretty pleased with the runs and the trip here has been reallyworthwhile”, he added.
In the men’s C1 competition, Nico Bettge of Germany triumphed over Michal Martikan of Slovakia. Bettge posted two clean runs to win in 199.47 seconds, the Slovakian’s four second penalty count costing him the win as he finished with a total of 200.07. Jan Benzien of Germany was third, 2.21 seconds back.
The competition ran smoothly and efficiently with the Chinese race organisers getting the thumbs up from the teams. While most competitors admitted there was room for improvement in their own performances on the challenging water, there was consensus that the Beijing Olympic course was exciting and fun to race on.
Tomorrow, the men’s C2 and women’s K1 classes take to the water with Mark Bellofiore, Lachlan Milne, Kate Lawrence and Louise Natoli representing Australia.

Beijing Test Event Publicity
In the finals of the men's K-1 event of the 2007 Canoe/Kayak Slalom Open held at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park this afternoon, Julien Billaut of France beat a strong field to win the gold with 188.02 seconds. After the race, Julien Billaut said that winning the gold medal from such a tough competition meant a great deal to him. "The race was very hard," he said. "I'm very excited about winning the gold. I'll go and comfort my teammate Tony Estanguet, who was just now upset in the canoeing semifinals."

The racing course at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park are regarded by all paddlers as highly difficult with its challenging rapids, waves, eddies and currents. As Julien Billaut put it, "Of course, the conditions of the course is the same to everyone. We came here for training one week ago, each session lasting two hours every day. I think what we have achieved today is definitely inseparable from the painstaking efforts we have made."

Beijing Test Event K1 Men Results Qualifications

The Olympic Test event got underway today with the heats of the men's C1 and men's K1. Out of a field of 33 starters in the men's K1, 15 athletes qualified for the semi final. In the men's C1 event, 12 out of 23 starters progressed to the next stage, according to the Olympic program.
The 20 gate course, designed by the ICF technical committe members, Eric Giddens and Jean Michel Prono, challenged the field in the first event on the new Olympic course.

Today’s qualification heats with an impressive line up of competitors all with expections of making Olympic qualifications later this year in Brazil had a few upset with number one world ranked German paddler Alex Grimm and World Champ 2006 Cipressi (ITA) missing the semi cut. Pfannmoller held the lead with a total of 180.96 ahead of world champion, Julien Billaut of France and America's Brett Heyl.

Mike Dawson with two touches in run one knew he had to nail the course run two to be in contention for a semis spot. With this in mind he started fast unfortunately nicked gate one on the drop. His improved time run two was the 7th fastest and with a two second penalty he was just outside the cut finishing 23rd at the Good Luck Beijing Olympic test event. He was in world class company with Michael Kurt SUI, Helmut Oblinger (AUT), Warwick Draper (AUS) all also missing the cut.

In the C1 event, Michal Martikan showed his dominance finishing four seconds ahead of the field with a total of 188.61 seconds.

The Chinese organisers succeeded in producing a high quality event on the first day of competition. The technical organisation was faultless with a high level of service and attention to detail for the teams and athletes.

Check out the full results on http://imagesx.sports.cn/File/2007/08/16/1930077403.pdf

Mike now flies home to NZL for training and preparation before heading to Brazil for the World Champs and Olympic Qualification race later this month.

Good Luck Beijing course set

Today the course for the qualifications,semis and finals was set by Jean-Michel Prono ICF. The course for qualifications is technical and demanding with a number of challenging moves. The water flows fast and any mistake will prove unforgiving for competitors in qualifications and semis. There are a number of different gate settings not seen in NZL with gates split between two wires. For judges this means ensuring the line of visibility is excellent as any optical illusions could prove disastrous for competitors. The judging sheets are also upgraded from NZL sheets and I will bring one home for the slalom committee to view.

The racing is working to Olympic race times and will be in the afternoon tomorrow 16/8/7.
mike is 11th off the ranks at 4.12pm Chinese time approx 8.12pm NZL time.

Check out his results on http://www.canoe2007.org.cn/en/slalom/resultsform/

Shunyi Olympic Rowing -Canoeing Park Beijing

BEIJING, July 25 (Xinhua) -- The Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park has been completed and the surrounding areas have been upgraded to welcome the Good Luck Beijing Sports Event here, organizers said here on Wednesday.
The future aqua park passed the final acceptance of construction on July 18 to become the first completed one among the venues that are newly built, said Li Yousheng, the executive president of the Olympic rowing-canoeing event organizing committee in Shunyi.
The park, located to the east of Chaobai river, has a planned area of about 162.59 hectares and is the competition venue for Beijing Olympic rowing, canoe/kayak and marathon swimming as well as Paralympic rowing events.
This year, the park in northeast Beijing will see three sports events, namely World Rowing Junior Championships, Aug. 7-11, Good Luck Beijing 2007 Canoe/Kayak Slalom Open, Aug. 16-19, and Good Luck Beijing 2007 Canoe/Kayak Flatwater Open, Aug. 23-26.
Li said there had already been 1,100 athletes and officials from over 50 countries and regions registered for the rowing junior world championships.
"That means the scale of the event is very big, even bigger than the Olympic rowing event, as there are about 600 athletes and officials expected for the Olympic rowing," he said.
"We will be responsible for their accommodation and offer free lodging for 50 athletes from 12 countries and regions as they lack financial support," he said.
The Shunyi district also gave the surrounding area of the venue a fresh look by upgrading roads.
Baima road, linking downtown area and Shunyi Olympic Park, has opened to traffic on June 30. It will take 39 minutes' drive from the Olympic village to the park.
Right and left bank feeder roads of Binhe road have been renovated and expanded. The renovation and expansion of the left and right bank roads along Chaobai River, Xinfan road and Shunan road are underway.

Beijing the only Kiwi competing

As usual the one Kiwi competing is on his own in Beijing. The Kiwi flag is flying high!! The other teams have been very friendly but this is the Olympic qualification year so the tempo has picked up. The other teams have amazing support managers, assistant managers,doctors, physios,nutritionists and coaches between two to three paddlers. Mike is enjoying the course but realises it is demanding and will be even more so once this evening the course is set for competition. The competition is being run the same as the Olympics with all competition in the afternoon as required by the TV for European viewing. The whole canoe and rowing complex also encompasses rowing and flatwater.

2007 China

I hope the blog publishes as in China blogspots can not be viewed along with any web pages or wikipedia etc which make negative comments about China so I won't know until I return to NZ

2007 Beijing Test Event

The course is situated about a 60 minute drive from Beijing cental. In true Chinese fashion the course is complete with all the facilities superb. The course has a large arm up anddown area and a couple of side channels which will be used for training and coaching before the main course is ventured on by future up and coming athletes. The course in some ways has the Athens Olympic feel to it as it circles around. This view is from the finish bridge. It has been well designed for both competition, judging and training with excellent access to both sides of the course and viewing platforms. The system for moving the gates is more rfined and i will get a photo of it.In the distance you can see the spectator stands and flagpoles. The athletes accommodation is about a 10 minutes bus ride from the course. The athletes hotal didn't exist 18 months ago and the roads are all new with very little traffic on them. The course sems very rural as it is surrounded by orchards and dirt roads away fromt he main access areas. The temperatures are hot and humid about 30-37 degrees but no rain and the grass has been planted by hand blade by blade and each day there are people working by hand pulling weeds and checking the growth. the grass is cut by hand with scythes. There is high security and all everyone and their bags go through a scanner and xray just like airport security. Police are everywhere. The venue is qute spectacular.

ICF chief give the thumbs up to the course

Ulrich Feldhoff, President of the International Canoe Federation (ICF), said today at Beijing's Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park that this was the best canoe/kayak slalom course he had ever seen and was best for paddlers, the Olympic Games and China's economic development. The ICF President, from Germany, who are here for the "Good Luck Beijing" Canoe/Kayak Slalom Open, spoke highly of the course, saying that it was the best of the 28 courses he had ever seen. "It boasts the largest water drop and the highest technology, no one but the most excellent paddlers can win here. This is exactly what I've been expecting - a course best for both the Olympic Games and local economic development." As chairman of the arbitration commission of the Beijing Open, Feldhoff values fair play and quality of the racing. He said: "With swift current and large flow, the course uses four water pumps. If just two are used, the flow will be small and the current will be slow; three is most common; but four can create an effect of swift current and big wave. Thus, only the best paddlers can beat the rapids to emerge the winners." However, he explained it would not be dangerous at all and paddlers could safely compete in the course with their skills and experience. The ICF President also praised the environment around the spectators zone at the Shunyi Rowing-Canoeing Park. "There are 2,500 seats here in the spectators zone, and the U-shaped area further inside is for the competition and movement of the paddlers. By the Olympic Games next year, more seats will be installed to allow as many as 10,000 spectators." Such seating capacity will be equal to those of Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004. In many parts of the world, canoe/kayak courses are for recreational purpose during non-competition periods, As Feldhoff put it, "In Sydney, people enjoy racings of slalom, flatwater, rafting and wildwater, and the courses have simply become a recreational center for those water sports lovers." He hoped that the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park would also become such an aquatic paradise after the Beijing Olympic Games.

2007 August Beijing Olympic Test Event

Mike the only NZL'er now competing heads to China 10th August for the Olympic Test event. He will have a very limited time on the course as he was unable to change his flight to an earlier time. The planes were booked out. Thanks to Rachael at AirNZ for trying to help him. Most of the competitors have alrady arrived for pre -nation training on the course and a number of countries have already visited the site for training earlier this year. The site is looking fabulous. Check out some footage from Campbell Walsh. Kay Dawson has been invited by the ICF to judge at this Olympic Test event and she flies out on Sunday to Beijing

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU_xk8Utz7o

Check out the details for Beijing

http://www.canoe2007.org.cn/

2007 Ceske Budejovice Sunday Racing

Results from Sunday 5th August

K1W Results
Tania Perrett in K1W had a much improved peformance and with fewer costly time surges and touches was more pleased with her racing the previous day

1 HILGERTOVÁ Štepána 68 1 Dukla B./ 112.58 2 114.58 117.00 2 119.00=
233.58 2

2 LAWRENCE Jacqueline 82 Big River Canoe Club/ 121.30 2 123.30 121.49 6 127.49=250.79
3 GROSSMANNOVÁ Zdenka 65 1 Kralupy/ 124.94 0 124.94124.29 2 126.29 =251.23
6 PERETT Tania 86 NZL 136.20 4 140.20 139.50 4 143.50=283.70

Michael Dawson fell foul of the pushy water and with a costly resurge and two forced touches moved from 3rd position after run one to 10th overall. This took him out of medal contention into 4th position overall during the competition

K1M results
1 BUCHTEL Michal 86 1 Hubertus/ 104.50 2 106.50 103.83 2 105.83=212.33
2 RAAB Ondrej 73 MT Dukla B./ 105.69 0 105.69 108.66 0 108.66=
214.35

3 BERSINGER Thomas 85 EYRIEUX CK/ 109.07 0 109.07106.60 0 106.60 =215.67
10 DAWSON Michael 86 NZL 107.64 2 109.64109.15 2 111.15 =220.79

Check out the full resultshttp://www.wave2006.com/

Mike and Tania are now back in Augsburg for their last European training sessions. Thanks to the Bickell family( Augsburg) and all the other international competitors and their families who have given their hospitality and support the Kiwi athletes. Thanks to the Aussies who also take the Kiwis under their wings when able and offer coaching help. Mike now flies out on the 10th to China to compete in the Olympic test event and Tania flies home to NZ.

2007 Ceske Budjovice Wave Festival 4th August 07

The Annual Ceske Budjovice Wave Festival in Czech Republic is a great fun event drawing the crowds and combining social participation with a high turnout of serious athletes racing. The event saw NZL athlete Mike Dawson in a competitive field of 93 take out the K1 Men event

1 DAWSON Michael 86 NZL 109.20 2 111.20 102.13 2 104.13
215.33
2 009010 KUBRICAN Pavel 83 1 USK Pha/A 7 109.52 0 109.52 106.42 0 106.42
215.94
3 BERSINGER Thomas 85 EYRIEUX CK/A 9 107.73 0 107.73108.54 0 108.54 216.27


Tania Perrett racing in a field of 39 K1W competitiors with World Champs Stepana Hilgertova takingout the womens title came 24th after two 50 penalties

1 012008 HILGERTOVÁ Štepána 68 1 Dukla B./ 10 119.66 0 119.66 113.95 0 113.95
233.61

2 012002 BLAŽKOVÁ Šárka 89 DS 1 Dukla B./ 9 119.12 2 121.12126.84 4 130.84 251.96

3 014020 GROSSMANNOVÁ Zdenka 65 1 Kralupy/ 8 129.19 2 131.19 256.43

24 PERETT Tania 86 NZL 135.97 54 189.97 140.66 54 194.66384.63

Check out the full results
http://www.wave2006.com/wpages/wave2007-results-slalom-1-0408.pdf