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.