Leipzig, Roudnice, Bratislava

I've been in Bratislava since Sunday training on the course preparing for the first of the Teen Cup races which start in two weeks time. The race in Leipzig was a mare, and I think I'll leave it at that. After the race we went into Leipzig to check out the night life, and morning..Racing for semi's and finals was awesome to watch the next day, with an great result for Pierre Bourilaud winning the race, and he didn't even make the french team! Just goes to show how competitive France is in Canoe Slalom.

We set off on Sunday morning - mid day, across Czech Republic, was mainly highway with Czech mountains on the horizon. We stopped for a paddle at Roudnice, the course which hosted the 2008 Junior Worlds. It has changed a bit since I was there 3 - 4 years ago, I don't think it's been maintained, but the course it's self was still a good course, with some nice eddies and a big drop.

Training at Bratislava is going pretty good with not so many countries showing up for the training meaning more free water for us! The drop at the bottom of the course is pretty intense and requires a good bit of technical skill. Will try get some pictures of the course here up shortly.

After Bratislava, Ben heads off to London to compete at the Pre - Olympic Games, and I'm off to Augsburg, Germany to pick up Carl from Munich airport as we are going to travel around Europe competing at the Teen Cups along with Finn Butcher and Tommy McDowell. It'll be good to have a few days off on our way to Munich, stopping in Austria for a few days and doing some sight seeing and recovering before the race. To check out Carl's blog click on the link.. www.carlkayaker.blogspot.com. Carl and the rest of the NZ Junior Team and Development team raced at the Wassau Open in Wassau which will host the Junior and Under 23 World Championships next year, the first year there is Under 23 Worlds!

The teen cups this year have a bunch of sponsors like VAJDA, Galasport, RAAB and many more so should be some sick spot prizes for results. I heard a rumor that the overall winner receives a boat. I'll keep you posted on Brat.