Selection Races

A few weeks back the New Zealand Section races we held for the honours to race at the Senior World Cups and Championships in Europe and to race at the Juniors Worlds for those who are Under18 in America.

Selection Race 1

The first selection race of the four were held on the Tarawera River, Kawerau. Course was designed by Bryden Nicholas of the Cook Islands and Vavrenic Hradileck of the Czech Republic, it was a pretty tricky course with some tight staggers and hard moves.

First runs didn't go to well for me with a few silly touches pushing me into 5th place after doing a time of 97.64+6. Thinking only 3 went through, I knew second runs had to be better. After second runs i hopped off the river feeling like it was a solid run knowing i had only touched one gate, it was disappointing though, looking at the times

and seeing my flat time was the same as my first run 97.27+2 but with only one touch it allowed me to take 2nd position in juniors and 5th in seniors.

As the racing came to a end the rain had only just began.

Selection Race 2

CANCELLED!!!!!!!

Today the tropical cyclone hit the Islands of the South Pacific, this gave the organizers no choice but to cancel the race as the river had doubled and

had only just began to rise, it was told that it was meant to double again by lunch time.

Selection Race 3

The New Zealand Selection Races 3 and 4 were combined with the Oceania champs.

After a long week on training on the coarse it became race day. Run one was alright solid but touched 2 gates which i wasn't happy about, so the plan for the

second run was to go clean. It didnt go to plan but i still had a faster time with 2 touches once again, leaving me and Malcolm Gibson tied on 103.12 a very rare event with laser timing, but anything can happen. After today i was ranked 18th going into semi finals out of everyone and 2nd junior once again.

Selction Race 4

FINALS DAY. I incurred another 3 touches after run one and a recirc for a gate after missing it first time round, therefore missing out on finals and leaving me 4th junior. Since it was our selection race there was a B final which was everyone except the top ten

paddlers from each class that made finals. No New Zealand Juniors made the finals for K1 men. It was my last chance to have a good race and make a placing. After protesting a 50 second penalty for a gate a didn't miss and getting it off, i was the first New Zealand junior in the B final. Which was a great way to finish the selection races and confirm my place in the junior team and the second reserve for the senior team.

For any other result, they can be found at slalomnz.org.nz