K1Men and C1 Men Semi-Finals Day Four 22 September 2007 Brazil
K1Men and C1 Men Semi-Finals Day Four 22 September 2007 Brazil
Disappointment for NZ in the K1 men. Hopes were high but costly errors cost NZ an anticipated K1 Olympic place in Brazil qualifications
C1 world champion Michel Martikan SVK gained the upper hand with a fast final section reclaiming the title he won in 2002 and 2003 with a total of 192.87, just over a second ahead of the reigning champion, Tony Estanguet FRA, who crossed the line in 194.23. Robin Bell AUS 3rd added a world championship bronze medal to his 2005 world championship gold and 1999 world silver medals. The result has qualified a place for Australia in the C1 event at next year’s Olympics and confirms Bell’s potential to challenge for a medal in Beijing.
In the men’s kayak semi finals, Aaron Osborne finished 30th with a score of 102.98, Starting well he had a close shave with a near touch on gate 4, then settled into his rhythm through the top half of the course. A little off line in 12 he collected a penalty and again in 15 another touch, that he could not afford pushing him down the score board.
Mike Dawson nailed the top third of the course, but then picked up a touch on gate 9. He knew he had to push it to make up the time and he looked good coming out of the up at 12 before heading into the swirling water below the bridge. Then it all started to go horribly wrong and he misjudged coming into 15 with a simultaneous lull in the surge and then was totally off line and had to paddle back up for 16. Saying afterwards “that is something I have not had to do for a very long time” Any mistake was costly in this competition reflected by the fact that nine from ten finalists all had clean semis. Dawson finished 32nd.
New Zealand will have the opportunity to earn an Olympic place in the K1 event at next year’s Oceania Continental Qualification at Penrith in March, where they must finish ahead of Australia.
Racing continues tomorrow with the semi finals and finals of the C2 men and K1 women’s competition with Tania Perrett and Robinson and Nicholason the start line..
Disappointment for NZ in the K1 men. Hopes were high but costly errors cost NZ an anticipated K1 Olympic place in Brazil qualifications
C1 world champion Michel Martikan SVK gained the upper hand with a fast final section reclaiming the title he won in 2002 and 2003 with a total of 192.87, just over a second ahead of the reigning champion, Tony Estanguet FRA, who crossed the line in 194.23. Robin Bell AUS 3rd added a world championship bronze medal to his 2005 world championship gold and 1999 world silver medals. The result has qualified a place for Australia in the C1 event at next year’s Olympics and confirms Bell’s potential to challenge for a medal in Beijing.
In the men’s kayak semi finals, Aaron Osborne finished 30th with a score of 102.98, Starting well he had a close shave with a near touch on gate 4, then settled into his rhythm through the top half of the course. A little off line in 12 he collected a penalty and again in 15 another touch, that he could not afford pushing him down the score board.
Mike Dawson nailed the top third of the course, but then picked up a touch on gate 9. He knew he had to push it to make up the time and he looked good coming out of the up at 12 before heading into the swirling water below the bridge. Then it all started to go horribly wrong and he misjudged coming into 15 with a simultaneous lull in the surge and then was totally off line and had to paddle back up for 16. Saying afterwards “that is something I have not had to do for a very long time” Any mistake was costly in this competition reflected by the fact that nine from ten finalists all had clean semis. Dawson finished 32nd.
New Zealand will have the opportunity to earn an Olympic place in the K1 event at next year’s Oceania Continental Qualification at Penrith in March, where they must finish ahead of Australia.
Racing continues tomorrow with the semi finals and finals of the C2 men and K1 women’s competition with Tania Perrett and Robinson and Nicholason the start line..
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2:46 PM
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