Tuesday, 22 October 2013
Alpine Sprint, Italy - Video
Short video of Alan and Dan running down the Alpine Sprint section of the Sesia in Italy earlier this year.
Sunday, 20 October 2013
Saturday, 12 October 2013
Sickline 2013 Video
FMOcrew's footage of our first time out in Austria at the Sickline 2013, bring on 2014.....
Friday, 4 October 2013
Qualification Day!
The day started at 6am for porridge breakfast and black coffee. All geared up in dry suits and bibs we were ready to go at 9am. Getting to the river just before 9:30 we were able to see the Qualification Group 1 (76-200 bib numbers) take their first practice run and qualification run. There were a few incidents, which meant that the running order was 30 minutes behind, therefore our mandatory practice was pushed back till 11am. In order to get into the two qualification races you must complete the full course in your mandatory run.
Dan was up first, he sailed through Champions Killer -1 and cleanly through Champions Killer. I was next up and had a good line through Champions Killer -1 but was forced slightly left over Champions Killer scrubbing off my speed through the pool, thankfully this was only the practice so it didn't really matter. Rob was up next, dropping into Champions Killer -1 he got flipped backwards took two attempts at rolling but unfortunately bailed just above Champions Killer. His boat and paddle dropped into the pool below as the safety team was roping him out. From this point there was an epic walk back up the course and across the bridge at the top of the course. Due to not getting back to the boat in time he was timed out and didn’t complete his mandatory run, therefore not being able to race in the qualification races.
After our practice run it was back to the start and queuing up for our first qualification run. Dan was in first, dropping into Champions Killer -1 he went slightly too far right and got stuck in the hole for a few seconds. He was finally flushed out but was upside down. After two attempts of rolling he was back up but heading towards the right hand slot of Champions Killer. Going over the drop he then had to work extra hard to get back into the main flow to continue down to the finish line, finishing in 2:00.20.
Whilst Dan was fighting his way I was busy getting into the boat. I knew that Dan must have taken a bad line as the Race Official wouldn’t let me start for a while. Once I was given the “OK” to start I broke out into the main flow. Cutting across the top of Champions Killer -1 I had an almost perfect line between the rocks river left and right. Next up was Champions Killer, I got the boat pointing slightly to the right ready to pull it back straight just before landing. Just after landing I felt the boat jump up and skip across the pool heading towards the narrow slot before the main racecourse finish line. Unfortunately I got pushed a little to the left which meant I lost a bit of speed through the slot, but managed to recover on the flat section before continuing down the rest of the run. Finishing in 1:27.34 I was fairly happy with my run but knew I could shave a little bit of time off.
After completing our first run we had a two hour break before starting our second Qualification Race.
Dan was up first again for the second qualification run. He was pushed right across Champions Killer -1 but managed to get back on line for Champions Killer. Successfully boofing off the drop he just had the long slog to the finish line, finishing in 1:37.73 - a vast improvement on his first run!
Before I knew it the official gave me the “OK” to start. Dropping into Champions Killer -1 I headed far left again, however this time after the hole I was pushed a little too far left with my boat not quite pointing downstream, one extra left stroke saw me back on line for Champions Killer and setting up for the boof. Skimming across the pool I was heading towards the narrow slot. This time I set the boat up a lot better getting a straight line through the gap and not hitting the wall. Now the power was on till the finish line, finishing with a time of 1:26.60 - slightly faster than my previous run.
After both times had been added together Dan had a combined time of 3:37.93 finishing 115 out of 119. Two runs like his second run would have seen him inside the top 100.
My combined time was 2:53.94 finishing 64th, missing the Qualification cut off by 6 seconds. For a first attempt at the Sickline with admittedly less training then most others this wasn’t a bad result.
The target has been set for next year……
Dan was up first, he sailed through Champions Killer -1 and cleanly through Champions Killer. I was next up and had a good line through Champions Killer -1 but was forced slightly left over Champions Killer scrubbing off my speed through the pool, thankfully this was only the practice so it didn't really matter. Rob was up next, dropping into Champions Killer -1 he got flipped backwards took two attempts at rolling but unfortunately bailed just above Champions Killer. His boat and paddle dropped into the pool below as the safety team was roping him out. From this point there was an epic walk back up the course and across the bridge at the top of the course. Due to not getting back to the boat in time he was timed out and didn’t complete his mandatory run, therefore not being able to race in the qualification races.
After our practice run it was back to the start and queuing up for our first qualification run. Dan was in first, dropping into Champions Killer -1 he went slightly too far right and got stuck in the hole for a few seconds. He was finally flushed out but was upside down. After two attempts of rolling he was back up but heading towards the right hand slot of Champions Killer. Going over the drop he then had to work extra hard to get back into the main flow to continue down to the finish line, finishing in 2:00.20.
Whilst Dan was fighting his way I was busy getting into the boat. I knew that Dan must have taken a bad line as the Race Official wouldn’t let me start for a while. Once I was given the “OK” to start I broke out into the main flow. Cutting across the top of Champions Killer -1 I had an almost perfect line between the rocks river left and right. Next up was Champions Killer, I got the boat pointing slightly to the right ready to pull it back straight just before landing. Just after landing I felt the boat jump up and skip across the pool heading towards the narrow slot before the main racecourse finish line. Unfortunately I got pushed a little to the left which meant I lost a bit of speed through the slot, but managed to recover on the flat section before continuing down the rest of the run. Finishing in 1:27.34 I was fairly happy with my run but knew I could shave a little bit of time off.
After completing our first run we had a two hour break before starting our second Qualification Race.
Dan was up first again for the second qualification run. He was pushed right across Champions Killer -1 but managed to get back on line for Champions Killer. Successfully boofing off the drop he just had the long slog to the finish line, finishing in 1:37.73 - a vast improvement on his first run!
Before I knew it the official gave me the “OK” to start. Dropping into Champions Killer -1 I headed far left again, however this time after the hole I was pushed a little too far left with my boat not quite pointing downstream, one extra left stroke saw me back on line for Champions Killer and setting up for the boof. Skimming across the pool I was heading towards the narrow slot. This time I set the boat up a lot better getting a straight line through the gap and not hitting the wall. Now the power was on till the finish line, finishing with a time of 1:26.60 - slightly faster than my previous run.
After both times had been added together Dan had a combined time of 3:37.93 finishing 115 out of 119. Two runs like his second run would have seen him inside the top 100.
My combined time was 2:53.94 finishing 64th, missing the Qualification cut off by 6 seconds. For a first attempt at the Sickline with admittedly less training then most others this wasn’t a bad result.
The target has been set for next year……
Thursday, 3 October 2013
Day 3 (last day) of Training on the Wellerbrücke
Today was the last day of free practice on the Wellerbrücke. The levels had once again dropped slightly, reading 189cm on the gauge. The sun was coming over the mountain behind the course, setting the scene for a lovely days kayaking.
Rob decided to move up to the start of the Qualification course and run Champions Killer -1. On his first run he managed to get through Champions Killer -1 but took a quick roll between that and Champions Killer. Unfortunately he was then on the wrong line for Champions Killer, not getting the boof spot on got him flipped in the bottom. A few attempts at rolling in the aerated pool unfortunately saw him swim. A quick rescue and back in the boat to finish the qualification course off boosted his confidence returning to the start again.
Me and Dan had numerous runs down the qualification course, some better than others. We both know where we want to go its just getting the boat to it.
With day 3 now over it was up to get registered and collect our goodie bags!
Rob decided to move up to the start of the Qualification course and run Champions Killer -1. On his first run he managed to get through Champions Killer -1 but took a quick roll between that and Champions Killer. Unfortunately he was then on the wrong line for Champions Killer, not getting the boof spot on got him flipped in the bottom. A few attempts at rolling in the aerated pool unfortunately saw him swim. A quick rescue and back in the boat to finish the qualification course off boosted his confidence returning to the start again.
Me and Dan had numerous runs down the qualification course, some better than others. We both know where we want to go its just getting the boat to it.
 |
| Dan dropping into Champions Killer -1. |
 |
| Alan riding out of Champions Killer -1. |
 |
| Rob's first drop into Champions Killer -1. |
 |
| Slightly too far right into the foam pile. |
 |
| Rob dropping off Champions Killer. |
 |
| Alan boofing off Champions Killer. |
 |
| Through Champions killer and accelerating towards the finish line. |
Wednesday, 2 October 2013
Day 2 of Training on the Wellerbrücke
After a cold night and no rain the levels continued to drop. At the start of the day it was at 199cm, by the end it was on 193cm. With the drop in level we decided to attack the full qualification course, starting above Champions Killer -1 and finishing at the Slalom Course get in.
 |
| Alan running Champions Killer |
 |
| Dan's run of Champions Killer |
 |
| Running into Champions Killer -1, slightly too far right saw me surfing the hole for a good 15 seconds. |
 |
| Side surfing Champions Killer -1..... |
 |
| Finally managed to dig deep and get out of the hole. |
 |
| Dan's running through the middle of Champions Killer -1, Stomping it out! |
 |
| Dan on the top of Champions Killer. |
 |
| Rob's landing on Champions Killer saw him looking into the sky. |
 |
| The aerated landing makes it very hard to roll in. |
 |
| Back in his boat Rob makes it through the tight gap against the wall. |
 |
| A fellow competitor snapped his paddle in Champions Killer -1 and still made it down into the pool of Champions Killer. |
After lunch we continued to paddle the Qualification Course, dropping Champions Killer -1 5 times in total and paddling the lower section a further 4 times.
Tomorrow is the last day of free practice, so another early start is planned to get in as much paddle time as possible.
Tuesday, 1 October 2013
Day 1 of Training on the Wellerbrücke
After a long over due sleep we headed over to the course to start trying to learn the lines.
The level had slightly dropped since yesterday, 203cm when we got on. However it was still looking high. Today there were a lot more people on the course, and running its full length.
We decided to run from just above Champions Killer and practise the Qualification Course.
Unfortunately Rob's first drop down Champions Killer wasn't captured on film due to a rescue taking place just after the drop.
After lunch we met up with Laurence O'Riordan and Eddy Mead.
The level had slightly dropped since yesterday, 203cm when we got on. However it was still looking high. Today there were a lot more people on the course, and running its full length.
We decided to run from just above Champions Killer and practise the Qualification Course.
 |
| Looking back up the course from Champions Killer. |
 |
| Getting some practise in on the Qualification Course |
 |
| Alan's first attempt at Champions Killer |
 |
| Dan's first attempt at Champions Killer |
After lunch we met up with Laurence O'Riordan and Eddy Mead.
With levels still high (199cm late afternoon) we continued to drop in from above Champions Killer to the Qualification Course. Hopefully tomorrow the river should have dropped more and a full run might be on the cards!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)