2003 World
Freestyle Kayak Championships - Report 24, May 27
Competition Day 2
The early jitters started going away today when the junior
men hit the hole for their prelims this morning. The top 10 juniors all
had moments of brilliance mixed with epic crashes and dissapointing moments.
The best juniors showed their skills, but the big rides they are capable
of are still in the bag. Richard Grimes of Great Britain showed that it
pays off to go for the entry move. Pat Keller took the conservative approach
on his first ride but had a solid one and went for it on his second, putting
him in second. Peter Csonka layed the smackdown on the hole showing that
Slovakia is one country to be reckoned with.
All of the USA Team Juniors made the next cut, but this is the first time
in a while we didn´t start off in first place.
The K1 Women
The women, like the Junior men, had moments where they shined, and some
that you just couldn´t watch. Except for a couple of rides, one by
Lenka Kucerova from Chech, everybody flushed at least one time. The biggest
issue the women had today was missing their first roll and/or going for
the wrong eddy when they rolled up. I was impressed by the skill and determination
of the women when in the hole, but the fact that they haven´t really
practiced for when they flush showed today. Brooke Winger spent much of
her time in the hole and got splits, both cartwheels, and some good vertical.
Polly Green had a first ride that didn´t want to stop with lots of
technical and her super clean spin to wrap up second place. Nikki Kelley
went for her entry move and got huge points really fast but didn´t
spend much time in the hole. The biggest ride of the day was Lenka Kucerova
with lots of vert, and variety, and iron lungs!
Tommorrow will start the Men´s Kayak class, oh yea!
