World Cup 2008

Augsburg world cup wasn't the result I was hoping for. I had some unfortuate luck with gates 10 and 11 in first runs of qualification coming in a bit high on the upstream and putting my neck out going for the tight sweep, however I went down through the gate, I acted like all was sweet hoping the judge would let it slide, but cut the exit to tight and missed 11..... So was out. 2nd runs was better, and I would have been ok in quals without the 50's but thats the game. The C2 boys had some mistakes in their runs which meant they finished outside the semifinal mark.

The trip from Norway almost went bad, when i arrived at the airport a tad late, just 20min before my flight, however lucky for me the lady let me through and I arrived onto the plane with everyone all sitting there watching me walk into my seat!! When I got to Augsburg finally, Prijon hadn't brought my boat so I was boatless. Not something you really want if you're a paddler!! So Fabian Doofler saved me and let me borrow a spare one he had!!

Today in the finals it was classy tight augsburg racing. Victory went to Erik of Germany, Beniot FRA was 2nd and 3rd went to Scotty Parsons. This tied up the USA selection meaning Scott will be racing in Bejing,.

Tomorrow will be the girls and C1's finals where NZL will be represented by James and Lousie, as luuka missed the cut.

Germany here I come....

I've finished my time in Norway and i'm pretty sad to be leaving such an amazing country but it's time to move onto central Europe for the world cup.

Here's some pics from the comp's and generally paddling through Norway. I talked to Brad, Sam and Josh this morning and they're looking to hit up the tegdal which wasn't flowing while I was up there.... So hopefully they'll get that in tomorrow!!
Boatercross race
Sam leading in the boatercross quaterfinal
Boy's hanging on the brandset
Just one of the other sports in the x week
Benjies neighbour's sheep!!
Sam lining up the big drop
A stack of bliss-stick boats, after some kiwi domination!!

All pictures by Nils-Erik Bjorholt.

Last day in Norway

On my last day in Norway. Benjie decided that we should hit up the snow, so he and a his mate, and neighbour took us up into the mountains where the big air ski comp was held to hit some hardcore slopes, on cross country skis!!
Faulk getting dragged around by his mum on the snow. Pretty sweet summers day when you're 2
The boys racing!!



Benjie decided to take me to the biggest fiord in the world to check out the view. that tiny white line on the otherside is a massive waterfall!!
The 'A' team
Diriving back to Voss, josh a bit tired from the skiing!!
Just another Norwiegin view!!
The next generation of paddling.
Packing up!!

MyrkdalSlva

Since the extreme race week finished we began charging pretty hard, but were paddling at around 9pm each day.


We headed into the MrykdalSelva River which features some awesome whitewater, including massive slides, double drops, triple drops, and a bunch of wicked moves, and holes which would require some staunch swimming to get out of!!

Me running the last drop. Sam, and benjie decided we had to hit it blind?! Was sweet


Runnable off the left???


Michele entering the gorge, on the first of many classy clear water rapids!!


On the way to the Mrykdal you have to get the timing right to get through the road. We just missed it so ended up spending an hour or so hanging out taking poser shots!!








On the way to the put in we stopped to drop brad off to fix up "the Swede's" van. On the way sam, with some peer pressure from us decided to pull the hand break!! @ 80km. The car went up on 2 wheels, and came about a mm from rolling, lucky sam pulled out of the slide and we dropped down on four wheels!! as we landed the roofracks ripped off and landed next to us. All this infront of the crowd at the the Airforce base, camping out for the week!!

Brad interviewing sam, after the near miss!!! The gravel tracks showed just 2 wheels on the ground for a solid 20+m

Blue angel down the 2nd triple drop, not as big as the first one but just as fun




Benjie, Sam, Michele, and I hit up the river. One of the best trips I have ever had!!!