International Canoe Federation

The darkened clouds abated slightly and after talking with several of the teams, we discovered that the racing conditions have improved somewhat, with a slower current. When asked about the course during an interview Olympic Champion Ken Wallace (AUS) mentioned that since most sprint training takes place on a lake, boat handling suffers as athletes have to adjust to new conditions. Vichy proved a new challenge for most athletes. Yet over the past few days, the course had improved.

Today was unique, as first up were the heats for the 200m Kayak and Canoe. This newly adopted Olympic discipline resulted in some swift action and a great deal of interest from the shore line. The races, finishing in just over 30 seconds were blistering affairs.

Olympic Champion Adam Van Koeverden was left behind in the first heat of the day, the men’s K1 200m failing to qualify. However Van Koeverden was up beat as he confided he had not spent any training for 200m races over the winter and was confident of improvement over the coming season.

With the heats out of the way, it was time for the exciting semi-finals. While the semis for the Men’s K1 200m was marginally slower than the heats the athletes felt more at ease with the course and the short distance.

The men’s C1 200m went without issue, with David Cal (ESP), Mathieu Goubel (FRA), Vadim Menkov (UZB) all making it to the finals, in some cases by the skin of their teeth. The strategy of the new category showed a direct display of how the shorter distance can result in favourates not winning throwing up new champions.
Women’s K1 200m was a good race with Fanny Fischer (GER) taking the overall fastest time.

Paracanoe athletes showed their skills for the first time this year. First up was the Men’s K1 Trunk and Arm (TA) race, with Paolo Bressi (ITA) completing the 200m with an impressive 59.239 and Lorenzo Major (ITA) finishing in 1:11.997. Italy was the only country to field a Women’s K1 Leg, Trunk and Arm (LTA) team, with Giovanna Chiriu coming first with 1:00.287 and Pisana Grandin coming second.

In the Women’s K1 TA Final, Severine Amiot (FRA) finished with a swift 1:03.850 after a tremendous show of determination and sportsmanship.
The most contested Paracanoe event was the Men’s K1 LTA, with representatives from Senegal, Italy, France, Hungary and Belarus. Khadim Boye (SEN) finished first with a triumphant 46.033, Silver went to Andea Testa (ITA) and the Bronze went to France’s own Martin Farineaux all of which had impressive times on par with many fully able athletes.

The final event for Paracanoeing was special as the athletes performed in a new category using Va’a (outrigger) boats. These boats have a supporting stabilizer which allows the athlete to paddle on one side. The athletes gave an impressive performance, making good time and showing off the unique craft.
The spectators gave a very special show of appreciation to all the Paracanoe athletes and their supporting National Federations for their participation. It looks like these athletes will continue to improve over the season.

The men’s K1 500m Final B proved to be a disappointment for Ken Wallace (AUS), as despite his efforts, he finished in a surprising 9th place. The A Finals went to Kasper Bleibach (DEN) with Adam Van Koeverden (CAN) taking Silver. Sweden’s Anders Gustafsson took the Bronze. Germany’s Max Hoff finished in 5th place a little off the place after his excellent display the day before.

The men’s C1 200m Finals saw surprisingly Olympic Champion David Cal (ESP) only achieveing 3rd place in the B Finals while Russia dominated the winning positions in the A Final as Nikolay Lipkin won Gold and Ivan Shtyl received Silver. Thomas Simart (FRA) took the Bronze after a colossal effort on his home course.

For the men’s K1 200m Germany once again found themselves on the podium, this time with Ronald Rahue racing a swift 35.201 and Jonas Ems (GER) a hair’s breadth behind with 35.258. The Bronze went to Michele Zerial (ITA) for his impressive 35.638. An incredibly close race indeed.

More medals went to Germany in the women’s K2 500m as Caroline Leonhart and Tina Dietze take the Gold and Silke Hormann and Conny Wasmuth take the Bronze. Marta Walczkiewicy and Ewelina Wojnarowska (POL) were presented with the Silver medal for their quick time of 1:39.352.

Marta Walczkiewicy also took the Gold for the women’s K1 200m, pulling just ahead of Fanny Fischer (GER) and Shinobu Kitamato (JPN) who received Silver and Bronze respectively. This was Japan’s first medal at this event and well deserved for a fast race. Other favourites such as Jo Bridgen Jones (AUS) and Bridgitte Hartley (RSA) unfortunately found themselves in 4th and 7th place respectively.

The men’s K2 200m held a very special surprise for France, which had yet to win a Gold medal in the entire World Cup. Arnaud Hybois and Sebastien Jouve blew this unlucky streak out of the water with a colossal 32.016. This result had the stands in an uproar as the locals celebrated their long awaited victory. Saul Craviotto and Carlos Perez (ESP) came second, right on the heels of the French with 32.178 while Caspar and Lasse Nielsen (DEN) took the Bronze medal with 32.396. The tight race was an intense highlight for the local crowd as the competition was coming to a close.

The final race of the day was the women’s C1 200m. This race had a few surprises, with the Gold going to Maria Kazakova (RUS) and the Silver and Bronze medals going to Brazil’s Valdenia Maximento and Luciana Costa, the first medals for Brazil in this World Cup.

The hospitality and friendliness of Vichy has made an impression on all athletes, coaches and spectators. Whilst the weather, currents and a myriad of issues beyond the control of the organisers may have been testing, the event was a good warm up for the World Championships in 2011.

The athletes of Canoe Sprint now move on to Szeged, Hungary for the next leg of the World Cup at the end of May.

Watch out for Video interviews from the Vichy World Cup on www.canoekayak.tv in the coming days.

All of Sunday's results can be found here www.vichycanoe2011.com/info/day3allday.html.