Enjoy the CDU Newsletter
Published: Fri, 09/25/15
Issue
478
18th September 2015
Message Bank
Where has time gone. It has been 4 years since I (we) finished
the near 4000km journey across Canada, the trip that Alaine
and Leonie joined me at Kenora after I had paddled 2600kms
from the Rocky Mountains. For anyone who hasn't paddled in
the great lake systems of Canada or the US it is so different
to paddling in Australia. There is so much water and just
having to portage from one lake to another was hard, but it
was a great experience. Read the first three parts of the
five part journey by going here : http://terrybolland.com/across-canada-expedition-stage-3-the-lakes-the-portages/
The racing season kicks off next week with the Island to
Island Race at Ascot and the week after with the Classic Paddle
Perth to Fremantle.
*****************************
Australia’s Jessica Fox has created history
by winning a third consecutive women’s C1 title at the
Canoe Slalom World Championships in London.
The 21-year-old said she was motivated by failing to defend
her K1 world title 24 hours earlier. She came 4th.
Her win this morning makes her the first woman in both K1
and C1 to win three consecutive titles, and she joins only
two other paddlers – one of the others being her father,
Richard, to win a hat-trick of World Championships.
*****************************
AKC Nanga Challenge
The start of the race and paddling leg. Photo
Jane Liddle.
Simon Roll leaps out of his kayak followed
closely by Josh Kippin. Photo Hayley Roll
The overall winner of the ironman event John
Carol shows others how it is done. Photo Natalie Woolley
Grant Pepper, one of many feeling the strain.
Maybe he should have stayed in bed! Photo Natalie Woolley.
Results here: http://bluechipresults.com.au/results.aspx?CId=11&RId=760
Grant Pepper above, may look like he is struggling
up this steep hill in his gruelling 3 hour.18 minute ironman
contest, but a steep hill won't stop him. He loves Adventure
racing. He also loves his job and he knows what he is doing
when it comes to putting alarms in a house or factory unit.
We have moved our business and warehouse 5 times and Grant
has installed alarmed systems in every one. His work is exemplary
and you won't find a nicer guy, so if you need an alarm system
in your house or unit give Grant a call. Alarms System
WA 0417 945 577
********************************
My walking training continues every night around the block
with my new girl Nikki who just loves being walked. Having
3 walks a day, Jenny 2 me 1, she is always wanting more and
we were told that Greyhounds want to spend all their time
sleeping. They do sleep but they also love excercise and whenever
we get up she is there toddling after us. If I haven't taken
her for a walk by 8.00pm she soon tells me its time to get
my shoes on.
With Nikki at Whiteman Park.
********************************
The Epic Kayaks Doctor Race
28th November 2015
The Epic Kayaks Doctor in Perth, WA is Australia’s most
exciting ocean paddling event from Rottnest Island to Sorrento
Beach covering 27kms (or vice versa depending on wind conditions).
This year The Epic Kayaks Doctor will also feature as the
Australian Canoeing Ocean Racing Ski National Championships
for 2015. Please see information below.
The event is scheduled to race on Saturday 28th November
2015 starting at Rottnest Island and finishing at Sorrento
Beach. This will be reversed if strong off-shore conditions
prevail. In the advent of dangerous conditions on Saturday
the event will move to Sunday 29th November.
Events Program
The following events will also take place around the same
time as The Doctor. Take advantage of travelling to WA by
competing in all these events.
Saturday 21st November 2015 – Fenn West Coast Downwind
Thursday 26th November 2015 – Statewide Oil Sunset Surfski
Series Race #1 (evening race)
Saturday 28th November 2015 – The Epic Kayaks Doctor
Wednesday 2nd December 2015 – Statewide Oil Sunset Surfski
Series Race #2 (evening race)
Sunday 6th December 2015 – Mandurah Duel
Training & Courses
Saturday
Morning Fitness Training
7.30am start on the dot
Sandy Beach Reserve, West Road, Bassendean
PFD must be worn
$5.00 for paddlers who have bought a boat from CDU
$10.00 for other paddlers
Don't forget your PFD
Fun, fitness and a great group of people
Last week's times at the end of newsletter
Race Times at end of newsletter
Featured Products
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If you are training or racing in the
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Price $149.99
We also have Vaikobi shorts, shirts
and helmets.
**********************
Road Trip Kayak
Cover
The Road Trip Cover is
the ultimate travel and storage accessory keeping out insects,
animals or as a petrol saver for the highway. A secure fitting
travel cover will also keep out water and your seat dry.
Materials:: 3 mm high quality neoprene
3 mm high quality neoprene allows the
road trip cover to stretch to fit most cockpit shapes
10 mm shock cord makes for secure fitting travel cover
40 mm wide pull tag sewn for easy opening of your travel cover
Price: $70.00
Small Size only on Special
for $50.00
Keep the bugs out and
save money on fuel
**********************
Access Deck
Bag
Gives you easy access
to essentials like camera, sunscreen, snacks, etc without
exiting your kayak. Easily detaches from your kayak to carry
with you. Ideal for day-trips, over-nights or expeditions.
Super strong abrasion resistant 420D
nyon fabric
Stiffener inserted to maintain shape
Hypalon® tabs at entry of bag
Curved watertight zip
70D detachedable Dry Bag with Hypalon® roll top closure
system
Two methods of securing to you kayak: Velcro strips on the
base or side release buckles on the sides
Super stretch shock cord on top for increased storage.
Quick find white TPU laminated fabric with 10,000mm waterhead
Mesh side panels drain water
$70.00
SPECIAL Yellow colour $55.00
**********************
Epic V10 Double
(performance)
pick a partner
and go like the wind
Epic's goal for this boat was very similar
to their goals when they introduced the V10. They wanted to
make a boat faster than anything existing in the class, while
still making it user friendly enough that a large number of
people can enjoy it.
The seat is very comfortable and ergonomics
are superior with the cut outs to allow a closer paddle stroke.
Bailers (venturies) are standard in both cockpits, allowing
quick drainage when needed, with the option to close them
and give a dry cockpit with decreased drag in flat conditions.
Adjustable foot plates allow easy leg adjustment.
Rear handle to help lift the ski quickly from the surf zone
and prevent rudder damage.
This is a ski that you will enjoy to
paddle on the ocean and the river as it is extremely comfortable.
It is best suited to intermediate to experienced paddlers
on the ocean keeping the ocean conditions in mind. Apart from
its great speed, it is just a beautiful and comfortable ski
to paddle.
V10 Double Performance 25 kg. Infusion
grade foam core. Composite hybrid of fiberglass, carbon fiber,
and Kevlar Vacuum infused, heat-cured epoxy. Black bow &
stern.
Capacity: Up to 240kg - optimal team weight: 130-190kg.
Length: 7.6 m
Beam: 48 cm
Depth: 40 cm
Capacity: 240 kg
Weight: 25.0 kg*
Our price Performance model: Black nose:
$4500.00
**********************
Another FANTASTIC Offer
Epic V14 Performance
Special $2900.00 save $800.00.
The Epic V14 Performance. The V14 would be an excellent ski
for the intermediate paddler paddling in flat water races.
More stable than a K1 but very fast. Don't let this opportunity
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I paddle a V14, so if I can paddle it you should be able to.
It's a great ski.
Epic V14 Performance. Black Nose 15.5kg. Price $3700.00: Special
$2900.00 save $800.00.
********************
Large Aquaracks
Storage Racks
Aquaracks have been designed for indoor
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Width 68cms
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Stories
To Sit A While
When a friend Bonnie Barlow sent me
an email telling me that I would be a good portrait subject,
I thought what does that mean? Have I got a beautiful face
or special feature like my nose that artists can connect with?
She then went on to ask me if I would pose for her art class.
I thought for a while and then a while longer but what could
I say! I don't like letting people down and it also could
mean a new career for me and be more lucrative than kayak
sales, so I decided what the hell, it would be a new experience.
I arrived at the Bassendean council office hall and met one
of the organisers. He told me I would be sitting in that chair
over there near the window. Over here we have a semi-nude
model and over there we will have a nude model. After hearing
that I was happy that I was the portrait model this morning.
He then went on to say that the models often go from portrait
to being nude. I think he may have been hinting that next
time I will be asked to sit nude!
I had a cup of coffee and then took my place in the chair.
By the time I was sitting comfortable I had about 10 artists
standing or sitting around me. My job was to sit there, look
towards something, and keep my eyes on that point and don't
move. That seemed simple enough I suppose, but I had to sit
there without moving for an hour before a break so it probably
wasn't so simple?
The 10 artists started fiddling with their paints and pencils,
then it was time to be still, real still. I focussed on a
bulldog clip on the board of an elderly female artist directly
in front of me. I closed my mouth which I never ever do for
more than a second, so it felt strange, but I had to keep
a pose.
Music was playing in the background and songs of the sixties
and seventies, like Lilly the Pink were bringing back memories
of my youth. I felt like singing to the words but it was pretty
hard to do so with your mouth closed and trying to keep as
still as a statue. The music did however give me something
to take my mind off being still.
One of the elderly artists who I believe was 92 years old
had told me earlier that he was once a model and fell to sleep.
It was something I certainly didn't want to happen and let
myself down but staring at a bulldog clip for an hour was
pretty hard. My eyes started to glaze over and my mouth started
to water. Then I started to imagine water was drooling out
the side of my mouth and the artists would show it in their
drawings, but I didn't want to move to check and destroy my
pose.
Not having done this sort of work before I didn't know what
leeway I had, and if I did move my hand, or wipe my face,
would that ruin the artist's portrait of me, so I kept still.
The music played on and I started to have fond memories of
those old songs and what I was doing at the time. It was worth
being here to get those memories back. The room was silent
accept for the music, I then started wondering what the portraits
were going to be like. Would I like them? What if I didn't?
What would I say when asked? I now realised it was a big responsibility
sitting there doing nothing and hoping that the pictures of
me were going to make me better looking than I really was.
There was no clock in the room so I didn't know what time
it was, but I was waiting for someone to say the hour was
up. Eventually someone did. I was relieved, it was a long
hour, but now, as I got up from the chair I could stretch,
blink and swallow.
I walked around the room and checked the work of the artists
and they were all very good, especially Bonnies and a young
art student called Craig. There was some talent in this room.
They were all so different and better than I expected. I suppose
some weren't as flattering as I would have hoped, pity really
as I thought I was much more attractive than that, but I suppose
you can't hide the truth.
After a cup of coffee, a small pie, a biscuit and a chat it
was back to work. I sat in my chair duplicated the pose I
had before the break and froze. My eyes were focussed back
on the bulldog clip, I closed my mouth and stared. The good
old songs of the 60s and 70s had been replaced with some classical
music. Instead of singing with the music and reflecting on
those great memories of the 60s and 70s I was virtually put
to sleep by the sound. My eye lids started to flicker, and
almost close and although I continually tried to stop myself
from my eyes closing completely, it was hard.
I needed stirring. Bring back the pop music I thought as my
body felt as if it was time for an afternoon nap. About 45
minutes into my second term Bonnie must have noticed that
I was nodding so she asked if I wanted a break. I thought
I should be brave and carry on, but the opportunity to wake
up, walk around and have a drink was too good to refuse, so
we had a break.
By now Craig's and Bonnie's art works were looking real good.
It was still hard to accept though that I wasn't younger looking
and the fact I looked a little glum. Perhaps focussing on
keeping my lips together gave me the glum appearance, or so
I like to think, One of the artists asked if I had broken
my nose, some say I have a Roman nose, but the fact is I have
my mother's nose.
I had a few minutes and it was back in the chair, I think
I had another 30 minutes or so left before the session was
over. The music wasn't very uplifting, it was relaxing for
the artists, but please bring back 'Lilly the Pink' or Shirley
Bassey, to help me stay awake.
I was now getting used to staring into oblivion, I was quite
proud that I had survived two and half hours of being still
and the artists had got so much pleasure in painting or sketching
me. I got thinking about my life. What would I change if I
could. I suppose I should have learnt to play a guitar and
taken up drawing but I couldn't think of anything else that
I really wanted to change. I had spent 6 years hitch hiking
around the world and had so many life experiences and had
a great time. I took up a great sport that has given me a
lot of enjoyment, kept me fit, found me great friends, has
taken me around the world seeing some amazing wilderness areas
and it has also given me work. I have been happily married
for 38 years and I've still had the opportunity of going around
the world. So what more could I want in life? I suppose doing
something that no one has ever done comes to mind, be respected
by everyone in the world would be nice, but what more could
you want than being happy with the life you have lived and
I have been happy in work, in play and at home. So although
I sit in the chair looking a bit glum, I was actually feeling
extremely happy with life.
Bonnie's portrait on
the left - me, alive on the right
Time was ticking by and
although I couldn't move I could sense it was getting close
to finishing time. Craig had finished his portrait and he
was packing up. I must admit when I saw him walk out of the
room and never to be seen again I was a little disappointed
that I hadn't seen his finished work.
One or two others also started
packing up so I was getting excited that in a few minutes
I could move, I could smile, I could talk and I could get
up and walk. And when I finally got told that my sitting was
over, I felt that I should go for longer.
And longer. There's another challenge!
If anyone would like to sit for a portrait
I'm sure Bonnie and her group would love to have you. You
even get $90.00
If you would
like to see Bonnie's and Jeff's work they are having an exhibition
at Ellis House, Bayswater.
*****************************************
About 2 years ago Cassandra
came into the shop to buy a kayak. She had been nursing her
father for some time before he passed away, she was a few
kilos overweight and although things hadn't been going her
way she was determined to live life again. She left the shop
with a lightweight Barracuda Beachcomber which she could lift
onto her car herself.
Paddling was going well
and then she started to row as she used to row back in her
youger days. Now she is out on the river enjoying herself
even more and she has several Australian and International
rowing medals in the senior ranks to show for it.
We see her on the river
a lot nowadays more so rowing rather than paddling. She is
hard to recognise as she has lost 25 kilos since she bought
the kayak and is having a brilliant time.
Cassandra once a paddler
now a rower competes in the master events and collects medals
and has shed 25kilo in the last 2 years. You will see her
between Bayswater and Bassendean
*****************************************
An Eagle Has
Landed
Bayswater Bassendean river
area is famous for ducks, cormorants, shags, white cockatoos,
28s, rosella's, pelicans and the list goes on. Now we have
an Osprey couple nesting on Ron Courtney Island. We usually
see Ospreys high on trees along the river but I can't remember
them nesting on the island before. It will be exciting to
see a couple of tiny heads bobbing up from the branches of
the nest soon. I'm just sorry I didn't have my camera with
the big lens on when I took these pictures on Wednesday morning.
I would have got some clearer shots.
The top picture is taken
from the Ascot side of the island. The bottom picture is taken
from the Ashfield side of the island
15 minutes later one
of the adults changed trees. Taken from the Ascot side of
the island.
You can see the nest
from both sides of the island even if you are not in a kayak.
Take some binoculars.
Trip
of the Week
It's Been 4
Years This week
Since We Finished
Our Across Canada Trip
Sunday 18th September
The wind picked up in the night and
the lapping waves nearly reached our tents. I walked to the
entrance to the cove and checked the water conditions. It
was certainly a lot worse than when we entered it so I knew
we were going to be tested today. It wouldn’t please
Alaine to know that it was going to be much rougher conditions
than yesterday so I didn’t make a big deal of it. However
I quietly told Leonie that it was going to be rough and that
she should attach the sponsons on the side of the kayak. The
sponsons, when blown up, would help with stability.
We started paddling out of the cove
about 10.45am, destination Woodbine Harbour, a cove only 8kms
away. As soon as we started paddling out of the cove I knew
that we were in for an interesting and exciting paddle as
the swell was up and the lake was full of confused and breaking
waves. Alaine took a few pictures on the way out but the pics
didn’t really reflect what it was truly like.
We continued along the shoreline at
a fairly slow pace, although we were working hard against
the strong wind. The waves was hitting us broadside so every
time we saw one coming we would quickly change course to hit
them slightly head on.
The average temperature of the lake
during the summer is about 4.4 °C. Lake Superior is the
largest, deepest and coldest of the Great Lakes. Annual storms
on Lake Superior regularly record wave heights of over 20
feet (6 m). Waves well over 30 feet (9 m) have been recorded.
The lake is fed by 200 rivers.
When we left the shoreline of the islands
and started the open crossing I was hoping the waves would
start to have a more regular pattern to them, but they didn’t.
It was still very rough. The swell must have been 2-3 metres
high but it was the combination of the confused wallowing
waves, the breakers and the swell that made it so rough. The
Necky tandem was so stable I felt at home in such conditions
and even Alaine said later that she too felt safe. Although
we were very stable there were a few waves that tried hard
to rotate us horizontally and vertically. We had to work with
the waves and know and go with their fluid aggressive nature.
The conditions needed advanced skills
to stay upright and Leo was handling them very well. She looked
quite comfortable in the Epic kayak and there were lots of
times when the kayak was in the air and only touching the
water by a few feet. We had to stay close together just in
case of a capsize, but we also had to make sure that we were
far enough apart not to crash together. It was cold in the
water!
Leo heading into Lake Superior
When the big waves came through we often
crashed down the other side and I was wondering if the kayak
would stand the beating, the punishment. It wasn’t sinking
so it must have been okay. Alaine was quiet in the back and
I knew that she was getting saturated by the breaking waves
but was she getting cold? She had put on a lot of clothes
so I hoped not.
The water continued twisting the kayaks
around like corks. A huge breaking swell came through and
Leo was sat on top of a breaker. I thought her time was up
but she calmly kept control. I was impressed.
The closer we got to the next island
the stronger the wind and the point of the island that we
were headed to seemed to take forever to reach. There wasn’t
much we could do but to paddle and watch the waves head towards
us from the southerly direction. It was a big lake so the
waves had about 400 kilometres to generate their power.
As we got close to the island shoreline
the waves were lashing the rock shores. Don’t capsize
now Leonie, I thought. As soon as we came opposite the bay
we wanted to enter I advised Leo to blow up her sponsons so
we rafted up quickly to give her stability.
There was a big swell running into the
bay and all I could see was big waves breaking right to the
end. At that point I wasn’t even sure if there was a
safe way in. In theory there should be! We turned our kayaks
into the bay and started moving towards the end of it. The
swells were big, even I was thinking, oh shit. Ahead of us
were deep holes caused by the huge swell and they looked quite
frightening. We had to be careful not to be picked up by one
of these big swells and go surfing down the wave and lose
control. I advised Leo not to allow herself to be accelerated
down the swells but to back off or even paddle backwards to
let the swell roll in. This worked well.
The deep holes continued moving into
the bay but luckily we were able to keep control and not to
be overpowered. Even half way in, I still wasn’t sure
if there was a safe route. The waves were pounding the reef
at the bottom leaving a confused mass of whitewater.
Then I saw a safe passage and headed
over to the left and we were soon sheltered by an indent in
the shoreline. It was a relief to be there. Leo all smiles
said that she was pleased that she had the sponsons on as
they gave her a lot more stability and she felt quite safe.
Leo happy to be safe
There were still a couple of reefs and
an island ahead being slammed by waves preventing us from
getting into the cove but I could see a way around them. We
paddled between a reef and an island and managed to get to
the calm waters although the wind was still strong and we
could hardly move against it.
We were all happy to be safe in a cove
We first checked a beach on the eastern
side but it wasn’t any good to camp so we went across
to the west side where we could see a clearing in the trees.
Then we saw an old broken table, a fireplace and some camping
spots. It was nearly like paradise and to Alaine who didn’t
like the open crossings, it wasn’t nearly paradise, it
was paradise!!
Within minutes I erected a clothes line,
we got into warm dry clothes and set up our tents. It was
early but we intended going no further today. You just know
when you shouldn’t push your luck. Thirty minutes later
we were eating hot soup and tortillas and were soon on track
to feel at home at our sheltered campsite.
It was nice to be camped
About 500 metre away the waves were
still crashing on the reefs at the bottom of the first part
of the bay. It was enjoyable watching the conditions worsen
while being safe and snug on land. The rain started to increase
and it soon chased us into our tents. I took the opportunity
to do some typing but an hour or so later it had stopped and
Leo had a fire going.
As we had a late lunch we decided on
a light nibbly dinner. It was too cold, wet and wintry outside
to stay near the fire so we soon retreated back into our tents.
The rain had set in for the night. I
wrote in my diary which I do every night.
Although we were in a bay the water
was washing up the beach several metres and it sounded as
if it could be washing close to the kayaks so just before
I retired at 11.30pm I went out and checked to see if it had
been washed away….They hadn’t!
Our camp in the bay
Alaine happy to leave the cove in calmer
conditions
Three days later we were
finished our trip at a small town called Rossport
On Wednesday 21st September we had finally
finished our trip halfway across Canada
For Stage 3 go here:
http://terrybolland.com/across-canada-expedition-stage-3-the-lakes-the-portages/
Race
of the Week
Island to Island
Sunday 4th October
Location Ascot Kayak Club
Registration 7.30am to 8.00am
Briefing 8.00am
Race Start 8.30am
Season Rego Encouraged to register for season, discount, admin
ease
Webscorer Create profile in Webscorer, simplifies rego to
each race
Enquires Message via Webscorer
Regos close 8.00pm Friday 2nd October, but try not to leave
it till then
https://www.webscorer.com/register?raceid=52129
***************************
Classic Paddle
Sunday 11th October 2015
Start Line: Narrows Bridge, South Perth
Finish Line: Gilbert Fraser Reserve Fremantle
Registrations 7am -8:45am
Start Time
9.30am
Registrations are currently
Open
Registrations close 9am (WST) 8th October 2015
All Doubles/Triples and Outrigger 2's must enter individually.
Surf Boats, Outrigger 6's and Dragon Boats enter as a team.
No Entries on the Day
Payment is only through PayPal no other payment method is
accepted.
Payment is required at the time of entry
Any online entry inquiries contact Jason Parker via email
to develop.wa@canoe.org.au or Phone (08) 9285 8501
***************************
The Epic Kayaks
Doctor
28th November 2015
The Epic Kayaks Doctor in Perth, WA
is Australia’s most exciting ocean paddling event from
Rottnest Island to Sorrento Beach covering 27kms (or vice
versa depending on wind conditions).
This year The Epic Kayaks Doctor will
also feature as the Australian Canoeing Ocean Racing Ski National
Championships for 2015. Please see information below.
The event is scheduled to race on Saturday
28th November 2015 starting at Rottnest Island and finishing
at Sorrento Beach. This will be reversed if strong off-shore
conditions prevail. In the advent of dangerous conditions
on Saturday the event will move to Sunday 29th November.
Craft is loaded the day
prior to the event on a barge and transported over to Rottnest
Island on race day. On the morning of the event competitors
catch the ferry over to Rottnest Island which takes about
40mins. On arrival they unload their craft and prepare for
the race. There are cafes on Rottnest Island to relax before
the long paddle back to Sorrento Beach. The race start time
will depend on weather conditions and shipping movements.
The race is 27km starting from Rottnest Island and finishing
at Sorrento Beach SLSC where competitors will enjoy the very
best ocean paddling conditions.
The Categories for the National Championships
are as for ICF (International Canoe Federation) as follows:
U 18 M&F
U 23 M&F
Open M&F
35+ M&F
40+ M&F
45+ M&F
50+ M&F
55+ M
60+ M
65+ M
The race details will be the same as for the Doctor, but National
Championship medals will be presented to placegetters in the
above categories subject to the following:
Where there are limited entries in a
particular category the following will apply:
1 competitor- 1 medal
2 competitors- 1 medal
3 Competitors- 2 medals
4 Competitors- 3 medals
Medals will be awarded for singles only, no doubles.
Any paddler resident in Australia is invited to register.
You must be a financial member of the state affiliates of
Australian Canoeing, i.e. PaddleNSW, CanoeingVictoria, Canoeing
Western Australia, Canoeing Tasmania, Queensland Canoeing
and Canoe South Australia.
The Championship entry fee is $30. This is in addition to
“The Doctor” entry fee and can be paid at the same
time as you enter for “The Doctor”. If you are not
currently a member of an AC affiliate you can join separately
after entering the Doctor and the Champs. All memberships
will be verified after entries close.
All entries to the National Champs will have a sticker on
the boat indicating that you are competing in an Australian
Canoeing National event.
Entries to the National Champs will close on Tuesday 17th
November at 12 midnight.
Placegetters will be the nationally accredited AUSTRALIAN
CANOEING placegetters for 2015
***********************
World Slalom
Championships
Australia’s Jessica
Fox has created history by winning a third consecutive women’s
C1 title at the Canoe Slalom World Championships in London.
The 21-year-old said she was motivated
by failing to defend her K1 world title 24 hours earlier.
Her win this morning makes her the first
woman in both K1 and C1 to win three consecutive titles, and
she joins only two other paddlers – one of the others
being her father, Richard, to win a hat-trick of World Championships.
Fox dominated the final, one of only
two athletes to complete the course without a penalty, and
finishing a massive 4.91 seconds ahead of the Czech Republic’s
Katerina Hoskova in a time of 113.51 seconds.
Australia’s Alison Borrows finished
eighth.
“I’m relieved,” Fox said.
“There’s joy and elation to
put together such a good run. I‘m really happy with the
way I lived that race, and how I lived with the whole experience,
because it was a tough final.”
Fox said she was thrilled to have entered
the record books as the first woman to win three consecutive
titles in either the C1 or K1.
“It’s not something I try
and think about, but it’s really special to defend a
world title, and to win three in a row is awesome,” Fox
said.
“I’m a bit disappointed to
be fourth in the K1, but I think it did motivate me for today.”
Fox said the C1 competition has become
a lot tougher since she first started her winning run three
years ago.
The discipline is not on the program
for Rio next year, but is expected to be contested in Tokyo
in 2020.
“A lot of the girls are now specialising
in C1, while I’m focusing on K1,” Fox said.
“It’s definitely a lot more
competitive.”
In further good news for Australia,
Victoria’s Jaxon Merritt missed the men’s K1 final
but his result was good enough to secure Australia a start
in the 2016 Olympics.
“After having a good qualification
run here, it does build my confidence a bit,” Merritt
said.
“But I’ve got to get faster.
Those boys are going pretty quick.”
Western Australia’s Robin Jeffery
missed the final of the men’s C1, and also just finished
outside an Olympic qualification position.
“I made a mistake on number 11,
and then went into my shell a bit,” Jeffery said.
“I’m really disappointed with
my response, so I’m absolutely gutted. But I’m really
looking forward to trying to qualify a spot at the Continentals.”
“To make a top ten in such a great
field is great for my confidence. Even before this race I
knew that on my day I can make top five.”
The teams finals followed the individual
events with Fox winning a second gold medal in the women’s
C1 event alongside Borrows and Lawrence.
While the men’s C1 and K1 teams
finished 10th and 21st respectively.
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Olympic Hopes
Regatta commences in Poland today
The future canoe sprint
champions of tomorrow will be on show this weekend in Poland
for the Olympic Hopes Regatta from 25 to 27 September.
28 Australian athletes have made the
trip to Poland where they will line up against the world’s
best young paddlers aged between 15 and 17.
The team arrived in Bydgoszcz on Wednesday
following a successful training camp at the Sport Training
Centre in Walcz.
Amongst the tough training sessions
led by coaches Anna Wood and Kris Lepianka the team visited
the International Regatta Centre in Poznan on Thursday, and
have visited several local tourist attractions, with a major
focus centered on educating the teenagers on WWII.
On Saturday the team completed a race
rehearsal with all athletes competing in a minimum of three
races.
“The coaches have been working
closely with athletes not only in a coaching capacity but
also in preparation for racing,” Team Manager Christine
Duff said.
“We have been looking at race warm
ups, race plans and managing yourself on race day to complete
a number of races back to back.”
“There was some great racing by
everyone but special mention to some outstanding results by
Tom Green and Monique Carbone with some blistering times.
Still some work to do but certainly on the right track.”
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Saturday Morning
Times