Wild Water World Spring 2000

News in Brief

Howard Blackman has resigned as National Development Coach due to pressure of other work. The Exec are yet to annouce his replacement.

A report on canoe helmets has been produced by Chris Hawkesworth (manufacturer of WildWater branded helmets and canoeing eqipment), BCU Planning and Facilities Manager. This recommends that the BCU requires all participants in organised BCU events on white water to wear CEN (European Community) approved helmets from 1 Jan 2000. This recommendation would appear to extend the current ``duty of care'' of organisers and may set a precedent for further changes such as tests of competence. The WWR Exec are taking this up within BCU. If you have have an opinion get get your vote into the Exec now!

Nouveau Boatjolais

by Mike Mason        

Jamie (the Pocket Rocket), Cynthia (Bezza the virgin bride), Rob (pant style-guru) and myself (unorganised dole-bludger), as well as the Slovenian team went to a French team training camp at the Ardèche in November and had a mighty fine training time - although not in the tropical Mediterranean climes that I was expecting. To start the proceedings there is the traditional 35km race down the the Ardèche gorge, with about 1000 competitors and the typical mad start shenanigans that can only be experienced at such an event. Of the leading racers it is really a who's who of International Downriver with Wohlers and a similarly unstylish (but effective) German winning the K2 from Fargier and Desmerger in 95 minutes. Having warmed up for the event with a training camp in Lyon for the week, James and Ross came away with a pot in the C2 class - nice work fellas.

Ever the professionals, we refrained from moshing the night away at the all-night alcohol fuelled European- style techno rave that takes place in the name of a post race party and took part in the Pagalthon the following day. Jamie paid the price of starting too fast over the 4km run with slaps around the head, Rob's protruding finger and max pulses. I managed to maintain my run position in the return river leg for a 7th place finish and Rob held off Jamie to keep the honour of the single blade. The next day the training camp officially started with weight lifting tests in the gym followed by a run / mountain climb where we learned of the pioneering discovery style of Yves Masson's training plans. With the Ardèche at a pretty good level we then paddled some of its upper stretches with some good whitewater. Over the next 4 days was plenty of running, a couple more paddles down the gorge, weights and LOADS of technique videoing, including at two different points over a 20 minute time trial and on an artificial slalom course. Bruno Boyer was extremely helpful with the video analysis with all 3 of us Brit kayaks picking up good pointers - particularly the importance of starting rotation from the abs and pelvis and getting the blade inserted deep at the front extreme of our reach without wasting effort pulling air. Perhaps the most memorable event of the week was taking part in the orienteering race over the thickly vegetated hill sides around the gorge. With 7 control points it was an excellent way to do 2-3 hours of fun aerobic exercise. However it must have been less of a laugh for Cynth with the tasty Cankar sisters when they were lead around a 45 minute loop back to the start by their guide (who had been around the course the day before). Rob the mountain guide set a ferocious pace for the British Beef team and we only missed victory by not being told an important instruction that would have avoided a 300 foot death defying near-vertical scree slope slide. One helpful instruction that we did note was to continually make as much noise as possible to warn off the large number of `piig savarge' (wild boar) and drunk hillbilly hunters that hang around the countryside. The evening was spent recounting the day's tales, nursing sprained ankles and removing the many thousands of thorns and splinters in our bodies.

What did become evident over the week is that the French team are not superhuman superior genetically engineered machines that are born to make a boat travel fast. They work hard by putting alot of effort into their general aerobic conditioning and gym strength at this time of year, emphasise the importance of good effective technique, pay a lot of attention to detail and have perfected how to peak their athletes at the right time to great effect. Even Fargier went pop on a gorge paddle. Jean Yves Cheutin - France's top kayak slalom paddler - also joined in with the aerobic training.

Rob matched the C1s stroke for stroke on the water. They became disturbed at this and worked out a plan to finally eliminate him. It was very cunning indeed to encourage him to train with same weights that they use. Rob, ever on his guard, saw through the plan and avoided hurting his arms unnecessarily by dropping the weights onto his head, so developing a very hard no-mess look with 3 stitches and a bruised chin. We're proud of your guile Rob. The kayakers still prefer the Esox and short paddles (a range of 203 - 207 cm for the men and about 202 cm for the chicks). Two new imaginatively titled (not) boats were being extensively tested over the week. The Savage 3000 from Zástera is similar to the DD Hosanna (ie dull) and the Prijon Vézère is an attractive big beast in an Italian gem-like angular way but was thought to bob too much in waves.

For those looking for somewhere good to go for a training camp I can certainly recommend the CREPS centre where we all lodged - best described as basic but extremely functional. For 14 quid a day the dorms allowed Rob to parade his fine pant selection in a seductive manner and Jamie to test Bezza's resolve to vulgarity and maleness. Three substantial meals a day in proper French cuisine are excellent for keeping energy levels up and to annoy the awkward moaning vegetarian. The river and slalom course are situated at the bottom of the garden and the effective drying rooms became known as the gas chamber. If you take motorway routes to avoid paying excessive amounts of tolls, driving time is approximately 12 hours from Oostende.

So back to Blighty fully motivated with lots of training ideas and a craving for Heinz Beans. Cheers to the Exec for supporting this training trip with a helpful grant.

SPEED for Wild Water Racing

by Martin Streeter        

What is speed?

• Maximum speed
• Elastic strength (power)
• Speed endurance

Speed Principles

• Work on going at velocities that are actually faster than your goal over short work intervals.
• Train at goal pace in order to enhance your neuromuscular coordination, confidence and stamina at your desired speed.
• At first, utilise long recoveries, but as you get fitter and faster shorten the recovery periods between work intervals to make your training more specific and realistic to racing. Also move on to longer work intervals as you are able.
• Work on your aerobic capacity and conduct some easy pace runs to burn calories and permit recovery from the speed sessions.

Work on your mobility to develop a range of movement (range of motion at your hips will effect speed) and assist in the prevention of injury. Flexibility and a correct warm up will affect stroke length and frequency.

Martin Streeter        

Canoeists, Injuries, Posture and Stretching

by Jamie Christie        

I have been prompted to write this because of a recent injury to my shoulder, more specifically, a pulled deltoid muscle. My problem started very suddenly as a sharp pain in the deltoid at the start of the stroke which, at first, only persisted until I had warmed up but as time went on it would come and go during sessions.

After the first incidence I went to a physio at ``uny'' as this is free to students. I was told I had a very small tear on the insertion of my deltoid (what ever that means) and was instructed to stretch it two or three times a day, which is what I did. A couple of weeks later with plenty of stretching the problem returned during a warm up run on a river. This then persisted off the water for the first time, resulting in me not racing.

A return visit to a different physio (a British team physio) I was told I had torn my deltoid at the insertion again and prescribed two weeks complete rest.

So two weeks later I started training again taking approximately another two weeks to get back into full training. I had no further problems until after the Europeans when it suddenly kicked off again.

I was recommended by some of the guys at NKC to go and see Andy Thomas (Dr PAIN) Osteopath. He was expensive and I went as a last resort. What he did and told me was very interesting and is why I am writing, as I can see a lot of the postural problems I have in other paddlers.

Firstly he said I'd never injured my deltoid and that the pain was referred from my neck. He promptly produced the same pain in the same position in my deltoid by probing his fingers into my neck. He went on to fix a couple of other ongoing problems I was having, which were all related to my back and neck, by stretching muscles he reduced the influences they were having on my back (this was very painful). All were caused by many years of canoeing and general poor posture.

This is what he told me: Canoeing is a seated sport with a repetitive action, therefore:

1. Being seated all the time with slightly bent legs causes your hamstrings to shorten which will cause your lower back to be pulled down and so pull your back slightly out of shape. Causing you to hunch over slightly.
2. The seated position also means your stomach muscles are being worked in a shortened state and so they then shorten. This means when you stand up and your stomach muscles aren't as long as they should be, your sternum is pulled down causing you to hunch over and your head to extend out forwards.
3. Trying to improve your catch and always reaching forward means your pecs are also working in a shortened position and cause your pec muscles to shorten, pulling your shoulders forward.

If you add all these together you will probably recognise the typical canoeists posture. This is also exacerbated by lots of office type work etc. where you are always leaning forwards over a desk or a computer and by generally poor posture.

This can all be fixed or prevented by stretching, of which I am now convinced. Unfortunately its taken me a torn muscle which wasn't really a torn muscle, 3 physios, an osteopath and approx. £200 to find this out.

Each muscle should be stretched for 3 minutes at least, no bouncing and no pain, just enough pressure to make a good stretch. Over stretching can cause more problems than it can cure so take care.

I have written the above from my own knowledge or what I have been told by others, I am not an expert so it is probably full of holes, but hopefully the general principles are correct.

Martin Streeter        

River Racer's Joke

Quentin, a gay man goes into a bar. There he sees a famous river racer, called Howard.

``Hello sailor, would you like to buy a boat for only a hundred quid?''

They go out side and look at the boat, a brand new Super-Savage with all the trimmings. Now Howard is nobody's fool and wants to know where it came from.

``Well'', says Quentin, ``My friends gave me a brass lamp for Christmas and when I was cleaning it a voice said `Man of earth, man of clay, make a wish and I will make your day.' Would you like to try it?''

Howard is a little sceptical, but nothing ventured nothing gained, so he gives the lamp a rub and sure enough a voice says: `Man of earth, man of clay, make a wish and I will make your day.'

Howard does so and a few minutes later the pub floor is covered with squid. There must be a million of them.

``This isn't want I asked for'', says Howard, ``He must have misheard me!''

``Well'', says Quentin, ``Do you think I asked for a savage with a big deck?''

For Sale

CONTENTS
- - - Peter Schofield
- - National Championships
- - British Championship 1999
- - Treignac - Pre Worlds 1999
- - - Selection
- - - Girl Power.
- - - Progress.
- - - Team races.
- - - Vézère 2000.
- - - Treignac Pre-Worlds Results
- - - - Men K1
- - - - Men C2
- - - - Ladies K1
- - - - Men C1
- - Euro-Disney, The Return
- - - European Championship Results
- - - - Men K1
- - - - Men C2
- - - - Ladies K1
- - - - Men C1
- - Why Do You Go To Races?
- - Wild Water Racing Exclusive
- - Wild Water Racing Executive Sub Committees
- - - Sub-committees:
- - - Excellence Committee.
- - - Development Committee.
- - - Competition.
- - - Double Dutch.
- - - Tomás Zástera
- - - - Planning.
- - - Contributions
- - - For More Information
For Sale



Peter Schofield has taken over as the new Chairman of the WWR Executive Committee and Melissa Simons has volunteered to take over from Stuart Smith as Secretary. Peter is not a competitor, but his son Jonathan is one of our rising Junior stars. Melissa was President and Ladies' Captain of canoeing at Oxford University and has been racing in DivA for the last few years. Many thanks to Stuart for his time as Secretary whilst he and his laptop were jetting between Continents!

Peter Schofield is bringing new and positive ideas to the committee. There was a lot of enthusiasm at the Exec meeting in Bala and there have been heated exchanges on improving our competition series! Three new sub- committees will be formed to focus on excellence, development and competition. Read Peter's ideas in this WWW

Having won Thistlebrigg and Grandtully, there was some curiosity about Alan's motives for making sure the Awe ran - was he doing it for the sport (he was, thanks Alan) or did he plan to race one of the Tryweryn events, and needed the Awe as a fourth result to show his brother who was top? As it was, Ian got his four wins, but only just, losing out to Pete Keron and Mike Mason at the last Tryweryn. Is this a sign for the future?

Sprint specialist Jon Royle finished fourth, with some good results even in the classic races, followed by Fraser Gormal, who missed the first two through illness (or was he still suffering from ``a clip on the head?''). Martin Steele finished 6th, in his first year as an U23, and won himself a Pre-Worlds team place. Highest ranked U18 was Andy Bolton (still actually U16) in 12th. Although there were 10 MK1 Elite places up for grabs, the cut off was set high this year, and there was no Washburn to pick up easy points, so only the top 5 made it.

The Women's Kayak championship followed the predicted path, with Tina Parsons winning every race she entered. Cynthia Berry was close behind, particularly at the Bala Mill Sprint. Debbie Hales is closing the gap, but was only able to attend three races, leaving Mary-Jean Smith to take 3rd place (as well as U23, U18 and U16 championships).

Rob Pumphrey took his usual place at the top of the C1 tree, with Paul Anderson moving up to the number 2 slot. Andy Reeves transferred his serious competition focus from slalom to WWR and was rewarded by third place, and team selection as an U23. He was closely followed by Dave Bradburn, now consolidating his position in C1 having moved from C2 during 1998.

Moving the other way, from C1 to C2, Ross Pearton and James Lee showed good speed by winning selection but paddled only the one race, allowing Dave Belbin and Phil Caunt to retain their title. The Walling brothers, Gordon & Terry, took a solid second place and easily made the cut for Elite status next season.

For those who are confused, these rankings hold good as National Rankings until the end of the series in 2000. The Autumn series makes no difference to your ranking. For those who are concerned about their ranking in Div A, status is secure for anyone who scored over 400 points in total, or over 250 in any race. However, the Autumn series represents another chance to go Elite or secure Div A status (same criteria) for anyone who didn't get a result in this range.

Chris Bolton        

Pos                                           Races Best 4 T'brig G'tully BalaC BalaS Brit   Awe  Welsh 2000?
1   Ian Tordoff         Chester            S    7   2000.0 492.6   485.3  500.0 500.0 500.0 500.0 458.8 Elite
2   Peter Keron         Bangor Univ       U23   5   1946.6 466.9   479.4  474.4   -   492.8   -   500.0 Elite
3   Michael Mason       Durham             S    4   1868.4 476.1   472.0    -     -   453.8   -   466.5 Elite
4   Jon Royle           River Gods         S    7   1770.7 426.4   401.3  415.6 475.8 433.7 419.4 434.8 Elite
5   Fraser Gormal       Glasgow            S    4   1722.2   -       -    407.9 427.3 452.4 434.6   -   Elite
6   Martyn Steele       Northampton       U23   6   1671.4 382.2   426.4  384.9 397.0 414.9 433.1   -     A
7   Martin Streeter     RAFCA              V    4   1559.7 393.3   399.9  369.5 397.0   -     -     -     A
8   Stuart Smith        Nottingham         S    4   1559.6 408.0   407.2    -     -   361.5 382.9   -     A
9   Alan Tordoff        Chester            S    3   1483.3 500.0   500.0    -     -     -   483.3   -     A
10  David Peart         LSI/SPR/NAC        S    6   1477.7 380.4   345.4  349.0 384.8 361.5 351.0   -     A
11  Jamie Christie      Notts Univ         S    3   1328.0   -       -      -     -   448.1 442.2 437.7   A
12  Andy Bolton         Chester           U16   4   1325.9 365.6   345.4  292.8   -     -   322.1   -     A
13  DRH Taylor          Newark Racers      V    3   1301.6 437.4   420.5    -     -     -   443.7   -     A
14  Tim Mumford         Burton            U18   5   1265.7 347.2   327.7  236.6 274.0 316.8   -     -     A
15  Neil Blackman       Newark Racers      V    3   1247.9   -       -      -   403.0 414.9 430.0   -     A
16  Luke Jones          Chester            S    5   1220.9 345.4   332.1  303.0 227.3 240.4   -     -     A
17  Nigel Stevenson     Newark Racers      V    6   1219.1 336.2   330.7  249.3 263.6 257.7 288.6   -     A
18  Jonathan Schofield  Clitheroe         U14   7   1203.8 295.7   298.3  233.9 287.9 292.3 317.5 243.1   A
19  Oliver Cunningham   Lancaster         U18   5   1161.5 314.1   321.8  216.0   0.0 309.6   -     -     A
20  Gordon Chisholm     Kirkcaldy          S    3   1159.9 393.3   383.7    -     -     -   382.9   -     A
21  Andy Morton         Kirkcaldy          V    3   1129.6 374.8   371.9    -     -     -   382.9   -     A
22  John Embrey         Burton             V    6   1103.0 299.4   282.1  251.8 269.7 211.5   -   228.8   A
23  Howard Blackman     Burton             S    3   1053.0 371.2   345.4    -   336.4   -     -     -     A
24  Joe Walmsley        RAFCA              V    5    942.2 238.7   240.9  169.9 233.3   -   229.3   -     A
25  Mark Gray           Northampton       U23   3    867.6 306.7   304.2    -     -     -   256.7   -     A
26  Craig Walker        Burton             S    5    867.4 255.2   198.2  179.5 234.5   0.0   -     -     A
27  Alan MacIntosh      Kirkcaldy          S    3    864.4 304.9   299.8    -     -     -   259.7   -     A
28  Shane Kelly         Richmond           V    2    799.8 404.3   395.5    -     -     -     -     -     A
29  Simon Wright        Lincoln            S    2    769.3   -       -      -     -     -   392.0 377.3   A
30  Nigel Royle         Glasgow            S    2    698.4 374.8     -      -     -     -   323.6   -     A
31  Eddie Dean          Burton            U16   4    660.0   -     226.1  131.9 228.9  73.1   -     -     A
32  Andrew Tomlinson    Burton             S    2    635.2 317.8   317.4    -     -     -     -     -     A
33  Chris Skellern      Worcester          V    3    595.7   -       -    190.4 221.2 184.1   -     -     A
34  Grant Anderson      Nottingham        U16   2    580.7 295.7   285.0    -     -     -     -     -     A
35  Andy Goodsell       RAFCA              V    2    573.9   -     321.8    -     -     -   252.1   -     A
36  Peter Turnbull      Durham            U18   2    518.1 233.1   285.0    -     -     -     -     -     A
37  Jonathan Riddell    Forth             U18   2    492.4 251.5   240.9    -     -     -     -     -     A

38  James Corden        Manchester         S    2    487.1   -       -    246.7   -   240.4   -     -     A

39  Carl Foody          Chelmsford         S    3    481.0 246.0     -    141.4  93.6   -     -     -     A

40  Rob Sherburn        Northampton        V    3    434.6 235.0   199.6    -     -     -     0.0   -     A

41  Jerry Tracey        Independent        V    2    433.7   -     240.9    -     -     -   192.8   -     A

42  Melvin Swallow      Chester            V    1    420.4   -       -      -     -     -     -   420.4   A

43  Richard Lang        Deeside            S    1    417.9   -       -      -     -     -   417.9   -     A

44  Dave Belbin         Nottingham         S    1    414.8   -       -      -     -     -   414.8   -     A

45  Craig Parrott       Forth             U18   2    400.1   -     263.6    -     -     -   136.5   -     A

46  Andy Hewitt         Lancaster         U23   1    384.6   -       -      -     -   384.6   -     -     A

47  Dave Gibson         RNKA               V    3    349.7   -       -     93.2  57.6   -   198.9   -

48  Alistair Bayliss    Wey                V    1    329.8   -       -      -     -   329.8   -     -     A

49  Ryan Ainsworth      Burton            U16   1    260.8   -     260.8    -     -     -     -     -     A

50  Dave Hirons         RAFCA              S    1    254.4   -       -    254.4   -     -     -     -     A

51  Chris Chorley       South Africa       S    1    244.7   -       -      -     -   244.7   -     -

52  John Elliot         Chelmsford         S    1    236.9   -       -      -     -     -   236.9   -

53  Colin MacPherson    Forth             U18   1    209.5   -       -      -     -     -   209.5   -

54  Andy Nevitt         Worcester          V    1    150.7   -       -      -     -   150.7   -     -

55  Stephen Pearson     Chester           U16   2    121.8   -       -      0.0 121.8   -     -     -

56  Mark Whitfield      Battersea          S    1     67.3   -       -      -     -    67.3   -     -



1   Tina Parsons        Nottingham         V    6   2000.0 500.0   500.0  500.0 500.0 500.0 500.0   -   Elite
2   Cynthia Berry       Forth              S    6   1890.7 464.3   452.4  470.5 489.6 466.3 452.4   -   Elite
3   Mary-Jean Smith     Lancaster         U16   7   1429.7 353.6   320.4  265.9 255.8 295.0 319.6 436.1   A
4   Debbie Hales        Durham             S    3   1318.7 420.0   441.5    -     -   457.2   -     -     A
5   Elizabeth Holmes    Chester           U18   3   1290.8 392.8   398.0    -     -     -     -   500.0   A
6   Melissa Simons      Civil Service      S    3    514.2 186.8   146.3    -     -     -   181.1   -     A
7   Alex Fromling       Chelmsford        U23   2    443.9 217.4   226.5    -     -     -     -     -     A


1   Rob Pumphrey        Nottingham         S    6   2000.0 500.0   500.0  500.0 500.0   -   500.0 500.0 Elite
2   Paul Anderson       Chelmsford         S    7   1791.3 387.1   413.9  424.9 396.6 498.9 431.4 436.1 Elite
3   Andy Reeves         Shepperton        U23   6   1701.0 391.9   422.9  386.2 355.2 500.0   -    71.3 Elite
4   Dave Bradburn       Chester            S    6   1671.4 416.1   390.8  321.8 308.6 463.7 400.8   -     A
5   Chris Bolton        Chester            V    6   1296.7 296.8   300.9  246.7 225.9 383.3 315.7   -     A
6   John Willacy        RAFCA              S    2    905.5   -       -    405.5   -   500.0   -     -     A
7   Colin Smith         Chester            S    2    498.8   -       -    257.4 241.4   -     -     -     A
8   Andy Hamilton       Staffs & Stone    U23   1    402.5   -       -      -     -   402.5   -     -     A
9   Des Middleton       Chelmsford         S    1    243.2   -       -      -     -     -   243.2   -
10  Martin Volek        Worcester          V    3    169.0   -       -      0.0 169.0   0.0   -     -


1   Belbin & Caunt      Nottingham         S    5   1992.5 500.0   500.0    0.0 500.0 492.5   -     -   Elite
2   Walling & Walling   Shepperton         S    5   1921.4 472.5   479.3  500.0 469.6 447.3   -     -   Elite
3   Pearton & Lee       Herts              S    1    500.0   -       -      -     -   500.0   -     -     A
4   Blackman & Blackman Newark Racers      S    1    485.4   -       -    485.4   -     -     -     -     A
5   Redshaw & Warne     Royal Marines/CGU  S    1    408.0   -       -      -   408.0   -     -     -     A

The Treignac Pre-Worlds were unusual in that they were not an important race for any other reason other than being the Pre-Worlds and notably all the East European nations were missing, (CZE, CRO, SLO, SVK). Did the New Zealand tour take too many resources from the teams? Are there only so many races people want to go to? Will the others be at the European Championships? Probably, but no doubt the Europeans have diluted the competition (at both events) in this Pre-World year.

Selection was again made with military precision in strict adherence to our 5% rule. But what of other nations? Of those who placed in the top half, only the 2 Belgium Kayaks actually achieved a spread of less than 5%. (Except in just 3 cases where a class had six boats, so the class was full before the standard needed consideration.) So it appears that in every other case where selection was based on discretion no one followed such a rule. Meanwhile, the Japanese men, in places 34, 35 & 36 had spread of only 0.4% - top result, see you all next year.

Girl Power. It might be traditional for the host nation to clean up at a Pre-Worlds, but the French Ladies took places one through six in times no one else challenged all week. With Brokof, Vieten & Schlautmann absent (and Claudia Mohr now retired) the French were untroubled by the Germans. Who can spoil next year's party for the French, the missing Germans or perhaps the Czech, Strnadova?

Progress. Treignac was the site of the first ever descent Worlds in 1959. A video of the event shows canvas boats with optional buoyancy aids and helmets! (Goody has a copy, if anyone is interested.)

Treignac was also the site of an international race in 1982 and interestingly not much has changed, with similar nations winning and the British in similar positions. One name appears who is still going, Kay/Pearton were listed as 8th, 1:04 behind the winner. Seventeen years on Lee/Pearton were 8th, 1:04 behind the winner.

Perhaps more interesting, considering current trends, were Steve Wells and Andrej Jelenc (YUG), 2 places from last. Both 12% plus behind, they were competitors we would be actively discouraging today. By the end of the 80s, Steve was World Bronze medallist and Jelenc was World Champion...

Although the French won 14 of the 24 available medals it was pleasing to see results that were at least challenging them and not a week behind. Rob Pumphrey, with 5th place, had a particularly good result, just ahead of 4 French C1s covering the next 5 seconds.

Team races. The British team shot itself in the foot by only selecting 2×C2s, 2×LK1s and 2×C1s, but being a Pre-Worlds year, scratch teams were allowed and the French, keen boost the entries, stretched normal rules for eligibility. This meant everyone had a go. Our C1s teamed up with the Swiss coach/driver, but no easy ride for Andy Reeves, as this was Raymond Klatt, World Bronze Medallist in 1987.

Our 2 C2s joined the 4th German boat. The low entry saw only three C2 teams on the start and surprise, the Bronze medal was ours behind the French in 2nd and the Germans 1st with the only non-French Gold of the weekend. Before we leave this ``triumph'' consider this: the C2 team was the only British team scratch or otherwise, that did not perform either a breakout, swim or roll during their run. Furthermore, the team time was 8 seconds up on the Walling's best individual time. Not a good score for the other GBRs, perhaps the Spring Elite should be made to race the Autumn series - as teams!

Are Paddles getting shorter? Reports of Fargier's ranged from 203 to 206, either way that's short! Has he done this for technical reasons or is he just extremely fit?

Vézère 2000. Garmisch gave us all a grand excuse for doing badly (as if somehow other nations were not up against the same problems), but the Vézère offers us a great opportunity. Britain is well placed for training on the Vézère. Fed by a small hydro scheme, there are only limited release dates so no nation can gain major advantage. This year most nations, including GBR, choose only to attend the final week of the competition. Only the French took full advantage of the pre-event training week as well as packing in maximum runs on both weeks of the competition. Was the myth of only needing 4 practice runs providing too much complacency? It was obvious that extra runs on the Vézère paid off with quick times. The Worlds is the big one; there are no excuses.



Treignac Pre-Worlds Results


Men K1

         1   Mickael Fargier         FRA   16:20
2   Thomas Koelmann         GER   16:25
3   Boris Saunier           FRA   16:39
13   Ian Tordoff             GBR   17:06
24   Jamie Christie          GBR   17:38
27   Fraser Gormal           GBR   17:52
31   Martin Steele           GBR   18:27

         1   Aymard/Pigeron          FRA   17:44
2   Gautier/Laurent         FRA   17:49
3   Hass/Simon              GER   17:58
8   Lee/Pearton             GBR   18:48
10   Walling/Walling         GBR   19:36

         1   Anne-Blandine Crochet   FRA   17:51
2   Magali Thiebaut         FRA   17:52
3   Nathalie Leclerc        FRA   18:02
10   Cynthia Berry           GBR   18:46
14   Debbie Hales            GBR   19:11

         1   Stephan Santamaria          FRA   18:08
2   Mirko Spelli                ITA   18:12
3   Stephan Stiefenhöfer   GER   18:14
5   Robert Pumphrey             GBR   18:38
13   Andrew Reeves               GBR   21:00

To the racing. Results, you can get them of the web or maybe bellow if `Ed' isn't too busy. Racing incidents included: Robert Pontarollo messing up the slalom course at the finish loosing approx 5 seconds and so missing silver by 4 tenths. Martyn Steele, luckily for him was not seen breaking out 100m from the start and also during the team event he found himself inspecting the under water flora, a quick punt off the bottom saved him much embarrassment and a good slating. He later commented ``I got a bit warm and I also needed to let the red head [Andy Hewitt] catch up''. The most tragic occurrence was Andy Reeves dunking 10metres above the finish and his disqualification due to the fact he obtained a faster time than his boat, there aren't many people that can boast about such an achievement.

Off the water incidents included trying to sweat talk and bribe female Slovenian border guards due to the lack of a green card and a panicked team manageress, wheel spinning the minibus and trailer in a tyre screeching attempt to get from the pre-start to the start in record time to tell us we'd missed our starts as the start times had been brought forwards by 1 hour, NOT!

The only scandal to talk of was the strange noises that emanated from the managements sleeping quarters late one night after watching a very educational German programme on cyber sex. Now I understand why Goody wants to upgrade his lap top to a Pentium II.

All in all we had a good try, plenty of experience was gained by the young pups and some by the old nails. It's just a shame not many British paddlers can see the importance or value of attending a major championships with top competition over a bit of a non-event (pre-worlds).

Jamie Christie        

         1   Thomas Koelmann         GER   10:09.4
2   Florian Wohlers         GER   10:14.7
3   Robert Pontarollo       ITA   10:15.1
26   Jamie Christie          GBR   10:48.2
32   Martyn Steele           GBR   11:22.1
34   Andy Hewitt             GBR   11:31.7

         1   Vala/Slucik             SVK   11:00.2
2   Hass/Simon              GER   11:04.3
3   Sutek/Grega             SVK   11:05.3
18   Walling/Walling         GBR   12:08.1

         1   Magali Thiebaut         FRA   11:05.1
2   Anne-Blandine Crochet   FRA   11:06.4
3   Michaela Strnadova      CZE   11:10.8
15   Cynthia Berry           GBR   11:46.3
18   Debbie Hales            GBR   12:05.7

         1   Vladi Panato            ITA   11:19.1
2   Borut Horvat            SLO   11:21.3
3   Stephan Santamaria      FRA   11:23.2
Andrew Reeves           GBR   DNF

My primary goal of attending a race is to enjoy myself, talk to my mates and spend time paddling my boat on a river. Certainly there are races that are not much fun (the Tees in low water), but this is offset by the times when things go well (the Dart on a good day).

As a moderately active competitor my aim is to try to get the best result I can at several ``key'' events in the calendar. Since I train on the flat I take the opportunity to paddle (and race) on the rough. The more time on the rough the better. The faster the boat is going on the rough the better. The most straightforward way to achieve this is to race on the rough. Also attending races outside your normal scope (that is: races that are not ``key'' races) gives you an excellent experimenting ground for pre-race preparation.

Attending a race weekend offers not only the chance to compete against your friends, but also to discuss aspects of training and paddling. A huge amount can be learned by quizzing those you compete against and where better to meet than at a race?

With these thoughts in mind I still find myself attending many of the races within the UK.

Name withheld by request        

First of all, this is a relatively expensive (hence exclusive) sport.

1. The races are distributed all around the country, with a slight bias to the north-west (the geographical centre of racing is close to Lancaster). With each rise in the cost of fuel, getting to races becomes dearer.
2. Wild water racing is hard on boats. Even the most talented competitor suffers more boat damage in a race run on the Tryweryn than a flat-water racer would expect in an entire season.
3. For anyone with a job or other obligations, time is also valuable, and the time absorbed by training and racing can be enormous. Hence, anyone participating in wild water racing is making a great commitment.

To improve the international standard of British wild water racing we must first improve the national standard - and that requires more entries at races. This year is the first time I have known that the full compliment of Elite rankings has not been awarded in the men's K1 class. To encourage more participants requires recognition of the commitment and an attempt to ease the burden. Since entries at wild water racing events are small and declining, the sport must become inclusive rather than exclusive. For example, the return to two separate racing divisions excludes paddlers ranked in division A from competing in a division B event (other than in the open race) and vice versa. Also, the elite paddlers have been excluded from racing the autumn series (although this, we are told, is at their own request).

The changes to the spring and autumn series have created a requirement for greater commitment, rather than less. To achieve a quorate number of races now requires attendance of four out of seven races (57%) as opposed to the previous five from eleven (45%). Only one series needs to be raced to maintain a ranking, but if only two races from the spring and two from the autumn series are raced, a competitor could face demotion if neither ranking is good enough, even if the total score would be sufficient.

And finally, at the very top of the sport, where we expect, and receive, the greatest commitment of all, exclusivity appears to be most rife. The senior squad, from which, one might assume, the senior team is selected, is now 60% the size of a full World Championship team and only 40% of a World Cup team. Selection is based on a fixed percentage of the class winner - independent of whether that class winner has medal-winning potential or is 10% slower than the world champion. This has lead to team places being unfilled, even on development trips like the Pre-Worlds event.

Competitors are expected to inform the team manager if they wish to be considered for selection for the team, but unsuccessful applicants receive no debrief or even notice of their failure.

While some may enjoy membership of such an exclusive group, it seems that many more don't - they are voting with their feet and simply not turning up.

While, this article sounds very negative, I don't believe there is one simple solution that will make people return to wild water racing. Many solutions have already been suggested in this publication, and there are many more (probably several per reader). Each must be considered in turn and assessed for its potential to increase race entries - including those that do not suit the current participants of the sport! If, like the French, we had 200 competitors to select the British team from, rather than 20, then maybe we could expect to achieve the same international results.

Yael Chance        

We aim to set up 3 sub-committees; Excellence, Development and Competition. Each will have a different focus, but their combined role will be:

• Developing people through the enjoyment and discipline of WWR.
• Developing WWR's contribution to canoeing in the UK and Internationally with the ICF.
• Guide the direction of WWR in the UK as part of the BCU Family.
• Policy setting.
• Budget setting and monitoring.
• National and International Liaison.
• Communications and PR.

Sub-committees:

Excellence Committee. Purpose: To help paddlers realise their full potential in International competition.

Topics for activity:

• Goal setting & feedback to athletes.
• Coaching Manual.
• National Coach.
• Mentoring, personal coaching & lifestyle support.
• Transition from junior to senior.
• Sports science and technology development (e.g. paddle design, Nottingham sports science facility and sports science university research programmes).
• Centres of excellence.
• Co-ordination of summer voluntary training camps at future international venues.
• Development of a library, maps, videos & notes formalising knowledge of key future race venues. Formalising the learning and sharing of ``lines'' for international race venues.
• Physiotherapy support at international events.
• Junior/U23 development.

Topics for activity:

• Top Club and Scout & Guide liaison, links with regional & local canoe clubs.
• Effective deployment of Wavehopper fleet.
• Development coaching.
• Development of coaches via ex-medal winners, mentors, parents.
• Junior development events.
• Parental guidance and support (inc. signs and maps for access & egress and places to stay at race venues etc.)
• Advice on sponsorship approaches (hints & tips).
• Linking with ``lapsed'' canoeists, linking with marathon and slalom (introduce variety, new competitors, techniques etc).
• Compliance with the Children's Act, Safe from Harm and other legal Guidelines.

Topics for activity:

• Separate sprint and classic series?
• More venues (Nene & Levans?).
• Sprint Bs? (Bury, Tully & Matlock etc.).
• Co-ordinating with slalom, marathon, sprint.
• Only 2/3 of those eligible have paddled this year - why?
• Poll or questionnaire for paddlers?
• The race calender. eg separate spring/autumn series?
• Thanking and supporting existing race organisers.

Peter Schofield        

Wild Water World Spring 1999

With the usual editor James Lee training in South Africa, and his able assistant Stuart Smith jetting between Monte Carlo, Stockholm, Dublin, Brussels and Grandtully, I will attempt to pen a few notes on what has been going on in our sport over the winter period. With no-one else telling WWW about what they're doing, this is mostly based on events that I've been to or snippets of gossip that I have heard or decided to make up in a chinese-whispers-kind-of-way.

BUSF Race - late November on the Dee. A number of new concepts were tried out at the event with varying success although results were, and still are, a mystery. There again, scores aren't the only reason why we do this wonderful sport. With many racers sharing boats, Saturday's team race with 12 teams couldn't be completed in 4 hours when day-light ran out. Hmmm, surely the lights on Llangollen bridge are adequate? I arrived on Sunday morning to that tricky level where the Tail overhang is a little closer to your face than you'd like and its over the slab on the Town. Practise run and splosh - into the slot and fish. Thanks to the people on the bridge for their consoling me between bursts of laughter and shouts of, "You're s**t". Race runs had the novel start instructions of "Start when you want"; literally any nano-second you fancied you could go on. Pete Keron had set the pace with a majestic run in front of his adoring fan club with the burning ambition of becoming Bangor's Sportsman of the Month (and washroom pin-up). Jamie Christie couldn't match the blistering pace set and went into second. I had a decent run until launching off the slab into the wall. A quick punt off the bottom and I finished, not having time to put my deck back on. Rumour had it that I had just pipped Pete but those results remain a mystery. Congratulations to the organising club Birmingham University for allowing such a relaxed format and for posting three of the most attractive smiling race-finishers you'll ever get to welcome you down the river. Beats seeing the Blackman brothers any day. And remember - a swim is good for you now and again to keep you on your toes.

SCA Training Weekends - Two have been run this winter, one in the middle of December and again in January and all concerned had a top time. In December we worked on doing plenty of miles, with most runs at a strong pace continuing down to Logierait cabins with lots of videoing from Stampsy lurking periodically in the bushes. January saw us going a bit harder with the task-master Streeter devising an interesting around the island session at Thistlebrigg and three runs starting up on the Loch. Thanks to Alan T for generously providing washes and driving the train along. Cheers to Cynthia and Nigel for their organisation. Both weekends have had a sizeable junior contingent making the most of the testing levels. The next one (on about the 20/21^st of Feb.) promises to be a fine event with T.T. races on the Leny and Teith and a longer mass starter, all organised by Andy Morton. The Leny, Teith, Upper Clyde and Nith are all accessible training rivers in the South of that baron weather-beaten expanse they call Scotland and nearly always well worth a visit, so why not come to the race weekend and try them out?

River Wear Boxing Day Race - Working up an appetite on the river on Christmas morning I was worried about the low level of the river and what a drag the next day was looking to be. A warm day melted lots of snow on the hills however (just like the Alps really) and provided us with an excellent race level. A crazy start as ever developed a front sextet. Talking on the wash was soon punished by Alan T who squeezed three off the back. With ten minutes to go Ian T felt the effects of too much Christmas pud and dropped back. Then at the final rapid Alan managed to sneak a couple of boat-lengths and held his advantage over me to the finish. One step closer now for Alan to the all-time Silverscreen-sponsored Boxing Day Race premier spot held by Dave Taylor (a different God to DRH). Pete Keron finished strongly with Ian, then Mally who's now more used to a K1, then the Raspin brothers, Richard Scarr and John Anderson. A fine performance also from Grant Anderson, finishing not far behind his Dad. The battle to see who went on top that evening between Yael Chance and Pete Ford saw a fine blocking manoeuvre to stuff Pete into the bridge parapet on the line. Oh the raw unabated passion in this sport! Then there were T-shirts to all and sundry and home for tea and crumpets beside a roaring fire. A great-turnout in all classes and thanks again to the race's sponsor Silverscreen - "For all your printing needs (if you live in Newcastle)".

Foreign travels - With The General and Stuart currently on their travels, Fraser Gormal in Argentina importing certain performance enhancing substances (not Viagra Melvin), a large canoeing contingent having skied in Canada over New Year and Joel and Orange training in Florida with the flatwater bods, I feel pretty left out having only managed 3 days golfing in barmy Blackburn. To say I'm jealous of those off to New Zealand is an understatement. It promises to be the trip of all trips. Full credit to Cynthia for all efforts in organising, despite being shat-on by a late pull-out. Still a sizeable contingent going to represent us, including Paul Anderson's usual hareem. I know how much speed Pete has picked up over the last month so good luck to one and all. Just leave the sheep alone Rob. I also predict logistical nightmares for this summer with Vesere and Bovec arrangements, don't fancy Goody's job.

Announcements - Not to be outdone by Simon and Sarah Wright last year and Jon and Carol Royle this summer, Jamie Christie has decided to get hitched to the angelic Helen Winter. Jamie, ever the romantic, popped the question in a graveyard on top of Mount Grappa but could only manage the words after a sip of hot coffee to unfreeze his lips. With the debate raging in the medical world between the feeding of children on formula milks as opposed to the mother's milk, supplement king Jamie was in no doubt about any future offspring: "My kids will have nout but the best. I'm currently devising a mixture of creatine, steroids, carbs. and a delicate balance of amino acids. My boys will definitely be the hardest in their class".

Imports and stuff- The second import of Jamie's Croatian Esoxes arrived just after Christmas and the standard was high again for very little money. Similarly John Day via DRH is knocking out Esoxes for £750 - £800. Tim Cordon is also offering Rolls Royce Esoxes through the Wild Water Racing website (www.wwr.u-net.com). So much choice. Double Dutch under the guidance of Markus Gickler have brought out a couple of new boats, one being named after a tacky penny-grabbing pop hit by Robbie Williams (and not Angels). Word on the street is that its a BIG behemoth of a craft and marginally more aesthetically pleasing than his last foray into design. Plans to extend colour-schemes available beyond a swish with a spray-paint can in a dark room have been stopped. Nick Pink has reported excellent sales of his rocket of a K1 which is generally regarded as the fastest boat around; top constructions without the hefty price-tag asked by the flatwater manufacturers.

Joe Walmsley is importing Descente paddles including the new Fusion blade which I really like and will use this year. All blades have metal tips which I have been unsuccessful in destroying this winter and are rigid enough for backward strokes - but then again no-one does them do they? The blade pulls smooth and firm from the front of the stroke and should be a manageable size for most. Some new adjustable shafts also sound interesting and you'll get a full report once I get my hands on one. Ras Dex, sponsor of the MK1 this year with jackets, SKINWEAR and FLEECY garments, has extended his extensive range with some newly tailored short buoyancy aids and some very tasty weatherproof bank-wear. DRH's lycra tops were well tested by the men's K1 this summer and will be worn for sure on race days this year. I must admit defeat at this stage by deciding to ditch the bucket seat I've been trying for a while. The control provided is spot-on but despite excessive padding the open, bleeding and puss-oozing scabby sores on the lower back have proved too much and made me decide to change to a traditional seat and backstrap set-up. Simon Wright may agree with me to some extent as he turned up in Scotland without padding and four sessions later was regretting his cavalier attitude.

Presentation Evening - A change this year to the National Prize-Giving which takes place on the Thistlebrigg / Grandtully weekend - it will now take place at the Riverside Cafe at Grandtully instead of the Moness Hotel venue of recent years. This change was to support the Grandtully Hotel for the hospitality it offers to canoeing itself and also to get away from the 'tropical' sweaty chlorine atmosphere of the swimming pool. Be there for 7pm on 6^th March, and get there early if you want food.

Tryweryn Access - A good number seem to be taking advantage of full river access and the seriously hot showers to thaw you out at the end - much appreciated on the day I was there when the temperature didn't get above minus 3. Got to be mad.

Ranking team - With downriver having few large participating clubs, the ranking team competition has been changed this year to allow individuals from different clubs to race for a single team, instead of having to race for their own individual club. The competition still runs from January to December at selected races, but now requires teams of four paddlers to choose the same team name for the year with one therefore acting as a substitute at each event. Consistency throughout the whole series will be important so find three paddlers of similar ability to yourself and commit to some friendly rivalry to race off for the three spots at each event, much the same as Nottingham did last year. On this front, the non-ranking team race at Grandtully in March may well be the relay format of 1996 which was a fantastic laugh and a great way to finish off what is always a top season opener.

Junior Pre-Worlds - After a lot of uncertainty, the Italians have stepped in to organise the 1999 Junior Pre-Worlds and 2000 Junior Worlds. For a while the event may have run alongside the senior event at The Vesere in France but logistically that may have been a nightmare and may have turned the junior event into a side-show to the senior's. The race now to be held on the River Isarco around the towns of Vipiteno and Sterzing is just over the Brenner Pass from Austria. I think I drove past the river en route to Mezzana this summer and if I'm not mistaken the Germans held their National Champs there last year. From hundreds of feet up on the motorway the river still looked mighty fine - wide with monstrous waves, but this test is always prone to under-estimates. Get out the big boats.

Div. A entries - Isn't it annoying looking on the calendar and realising that you've forgotten to put in a Div. A entry after the two week deadline? How many times have you been all set to miss a race because of work commitments and then find out that you can actually go at the last minute? Admittedly not many times for myself for the second scenario as I'm a work-shy student, but the Committee has decided on a new late entry policy for Div. A. The closing date for entries will be stated in the yearbook and then late entries will be accepted (including those that send in just a card) at the organiser's discretion with a five quid inconvenience penalty. You also won't start in your correct ranking position, but hey you'd still be out there just doin' it.

C2 Guru - A C2 training weekend is planned for the summer, possibly with Damien Faysse, a French C2 World's silver medalist, so it can be safely said that this geezer knows a thing or two. Contact Howie Blackman for details. I may have vowed to never pledge allegiance to the canadian filth cause, but may make an exception and go along to this weekend to hear from the great man.

Lottery cash - As a sad footnote, Wild Water Racing's application for Lottery funding has been turned down, so I won't be putting a deposit down for a cottage in the Loire Valley just yet. As a protest we should all refrain from buying our Camelot tickets this week and turn-off when Carol Smillie's Cheshire Cat grimace is forced into our homes. There again, anyone with taste is watching our Cilla and Blind Date - pure class.

I'll stop boring you now with my rantings, so I hope to see you all at the races. And what a cracking Div. A championship it promises to be.

Ciao, Mike.

Nick Pink Lightning - Full Kevlar-Carbon, still sound, price around £150. Contact Mike Mason on 0191 3844651, or

S-m.j.mason@Tees.ac.uk

Gaybo Savage (big deck) - VGC and little used £495 - Contact Ian Tordoff on 01244 314485

All the pictures in this edition are swiped off the Wild Water Racing website (www.wwr.u-net.com), with most of the pictures having been taken by Helen Winter or at the Dart race this year by Mike Smith - respect due for some quality poses. Unlucky Nige - the one time when there's a lens trained on you and .... There are also some fine and damned classy portraits from Bourg mostly by James Lee and Chris Bolton. So go check out The Rogues Gallery.

Contributions for the next issue of WWW, to be sent to WWW, 20 Highridge, Alton, Hants, GU34 1QW by January 1999. WWW is editedby James Lee and Stuart Smith. WWW is sponsored by the WWR Executive Committee. Views expressed in WWW are not necessarily those of the WWR Executive Committee. This is your forum to have your say so send articles on anything, however irrelevant they may seem!

For More Information about Wild Water Racing please contact Howard Blackman, National Development Coach, phone 01 283 517375 or see the Wild Water Racing Yearbook. Yearbooks can be obtained by sending A5 SAE (43p postage) with £4.25 to Stuart Smith c/o 215 Bloomfield Road, Bath, BA2 2AY

Best 4 to count. Ranking provides start order for the Autumn Grand Prix Series and for next year's National Championship. Top paddlers form first ²/³rds of year's `Elite'.

Autumn Grand Prix Series (October-November 1999)

Best 4 to count. Elite paddlers from the spring are not eligible to race in the Autumn series, opens only for them. The top ranked paddlers from the Autumn fill the remaining Elite places.

[Michael Mason suggested the series title. Will Michael be providing the Prix himself and can he assure us it will be truly Grand?]

Stuart Smith         
WWR Executive Committee        

Do you like double race weekends? Team Races? [Compulsory team races would really help the GB Team Prepare for the Worlds!] Why do you go to races? For points, to race, to paddle, to socialise?

• The winner is always rewarded with 500 points. At a race without the usual fast people, the default winner is given the same 500 points.
• The winner is only ever rewarded with 500 points. Winning a single race by a large margin does reduce everyone else's score for that race, but the discard rule undoes that winners hard work.
• Everyone else benefits if the best do not want to play the points game.

Additionally, the current system is too simple, too many people have been caught calculating their own points. The MS formula is correct in the way it rewards a close time to the win, but it never rewards the winner. The datum should not be the winning time, but the typical time, or time of the median paddler. (Use average of central pair for even numbers.) [What if over half the field DNF!?] Using Median MS or `MMS' has the following implications:

• The winner is given more points for a big win.
• Provided the Elite exceed the median performance, (surely easy), the points of every one else will be identical whether the Elite cruise or race. This takes the pressure of defending the current 500 point prize.
• The median paddler's performance is more regular, mainly because no one knows who it is until after the race. If Mr Median has a flier or DNFs, then he's not Mr Median.
• The British Championship is not over until the last race of the series. Interest in this year's chase stopped after 5 races in all classes. Work out the mathematical limit to points for yourself, but practically that limit will never be approached. The limit prevents a fluke providing the Championship. But possibly an outstanding win in the last race will be correctly rewarded with a surprise championship.
• Fast people would earn more points at tricky rivers, Tryweryn, Dart. Slow paddlers would benefit from the easier, flowing rivers, Washburn, 'Tully, (as happens for all but the winner now). This encourages the right people to go to the appropriate rivers.
• Amusing cross class comparison can be made.
• You can increase your MMS score by bringing beginners to racers. Isn't this the kick our sport really needs?

The arithmetic has been done on past results and trust us, it works. The current champions would not be cheated out of their leads and `pressure' of the full series would be removed - exactly why the elite are calling for the removal of the Championship status from the Autumn races. With MMS the Championship can only be earned.

James Lee         

As last year, this year's Wild Water Racing World Cup comprised a three week tour of Europe, designed to allow competitors from further afield to take part. The series included a sprint and classic race on each of three rivers: the Nocé in Italy, the Muota in Switzerland and the Salaach in Austria.

The first two races in Italy were the least well attended, but the most efficiently organised and definitely had the best weather. The river was clearly marked for access and egress and safety cover was provided during racing and official practice times. We thought the Nocé was like Bourg with rocks - i.e. the power of the water is as great as that the Isère but the holes have rocks at the bottom, which can cause a lot of boat damage. I tested this theory thoroughly with my practice boat, which ended the week in such a state that I decided to leave it in a bin!

The opening ceremony was late - not finishing until after ten o'clock with racing the following day starting at 8:30 a.m. The early start was because the races were televised - well, MK1 and C1 were. Any coverage which raises the profile of the sport has got to be good, so we put up with the inconvenience, although we were left not knowing what to do for the rest of the day, as the race was finished by eleven o'clock. Paul Anderson achieved his moment of fame when they made use of the coverage of his swim in the sprint event.

Switzerland saw the arrival of the rest of the British Team. The river was far less severe; just continuous waves and small chop. The challenge here was to keep the boat running through the waves and also stamina, as the classic race was over twenty minutes for all but four of the men. The weather was moderate, often overcast with thunderstorms in the evenings. This lead to the river rising by several feet and becoming chocolate- brown coloured with the mud and caused low mist on the river, which gave an advantage to the canadian paddlers, who were up high enough to see over the top!

The after-race party at the pre-start was probably the biggest social event of the tour, with the Czechs challenging the Brits to a World Cup football match - the Brits, of course, lost.

The river Salaach at Lofer was also the site of the Junior World Championships this year, with the Wild Water Racing and Slalom events held on the two weekends following the World Cup Final. The river has a technical, almost Garmisch-like, top section, followed by a large weir, then ten minutes of completely flat water before the slalom site at the finish. The finish is a monstrously boily eddy, above a grade five gorge.

There was no safety cover provided during practice, which lead to a large number a boats and paddles being lost to the gorge, and at least one injury - Michael Mason fell over on the rocks, badly bruising his back. He had to withdraw from the sprint, but managed to recover enough for the classic. Safety cover during the racing itself was poor, with divers and ropes badly positioned - once again leading to unnecessary loss or damage to equipment.

Most people had to leave after the closing ceremony, and so missed the final party. We all left with the same feeling though - that we had made many new friends and that there had been great camaraderie throughout the tour, both within the British Team and with the other nations.

Yael Chance        

World Cup 1: MK1: 1. Pontarollo ITA, 2. Koelmann GER, 3. Fargier FRA, 22. Mason, 25. Christie, 34. Jones. WK1: 1. Eichenberger SUI, 2. Brokof GER, 3. Zichova CZE, 10. Chance, 13. Hales. C1: 1. Stiefenhofer GER, 2. Spelli ITA, 3. Schwarz GER, 17. Anderson. C2: 1. Vala/Slucik SVK, 2. Sutek/Grega SVK, 3. Aymard/Pigeron FRA.

World Cup 2: MK1: 1. Pontarollo ITA, 2. Clermont FRA, 3. Fargier FRA, 16. Jones, 22. Mason, 29. Christie. WK1: 1. Boeri ITA, 2. Strnadova CZE, 3. Eichenberger SUI, 11. Chance, 13. Hales. C1: 1. Panato ITA, 2. Spelli ITA, 3. Petershmitt FRA. C2: 1. Vala/Slucik SVK, 2. Aymard/Pigeron FRA, 3. Sutek/Grega SVK.

World Cup 3: MK1: 1. Pontarollo ITA, 2. Saunier FRA, 3. Mercatti ITA, 21. Tordoff,, 22. Johnson, 33. Mason, 38. Christie, 45. Gormal, 48. Jones. WK1: 1. Eichenberger SUI, 2. Strnadova CZE, 3. Schlitzer AUT, 12. Berry, 16. Chance, 20. Hales. C1: 1. Panato ITA, 2. Schwarz GER, 3. Petric CRO, 19. Anderson, 20. Pearton. C2: 1. Simon/Mueller GER, 2. Aymard/Pigeron FRA, 3. Vala/Slucik SVK, 9. Walling/Walling.

World Cup 4: MK1: 1. Koelmann GER, 2. Gickler GER, 3. Wohlers GER, 26. Tordoff, 30. Mason, 35. Johnson, 37. Christie, 40. Gormal, 42. Jones. WK1: 1. Eichenberger SUI, 2. Brokof GER, 3. Andree GER, 14. Berry, 16. Chance, 18. Hales. C1: 1. Panato ITA, 2. Stiefenhofer GER, 3. Schwarz GER, 19. Pearton, 20. Anderson. C2: 1. Vala/Slucik SVK, 2. Sutek/Grega SVK, 3. Simon/Mueller GER, 9. Walling/Walling.

World Cup 5: MK1: 1. Pontarollo ITA, 2. Fargier FRA, 3. Knebel CZE, 27. Jones, 35. Gormal, 36. Johnson, 38. Tordoff, 41. Christie. WK1: 1. Brokof GER, 2. Strnadova CZE, 3. Eichenberger SUI, 16. Chance, 20. Hales. C1: 1. Panato ITA, 2. Spelli ITA, 3. Petershmitt FRA, 19. Pearton. C2: 1. Vala/Slucik SVK, 2. Aymard/Pigeron FRA, 3. Simon/Mueller GER, 13. Walling/Walling.

World Cup 6 (Final): MK1: 1. Koelmann GER, 2. Gickler GER, 3. Fargier FRA, 28. Tordoff, 29. Mason, 34. Johnson, 38. Christie, 46. Jones, 50. Gormal. WK1: 1. Eichenberger SUI, 2. Brokof GER, 3. Strnadova CZE, 16. Hales. C1: 1. Panato ITA, 2. Spelli ITA, 3. Stiefenhofer GER, 20. Pearton, 21. Anderson. C2: 1. Simon/Mueller GER, 2. Vala/Slucik SVK, 3. Aymard/Pigeron FRA.

Overall: MK1: 1. Pontarollo ITA, 2. Koelmann GER, 3. Fargier FRA, 31. Mason, 33. Tordoff, 34. Jones, 36. Johnson, 38. Christie, 45. Gormal. WK1: 1. Eichenberger SUI, 2. Brokof GER, 3. Strnadova CZE, 15. Chance, 17. Hales, 23. Berry. C1: 1. Panato ITA, 2. Spelli ITA, 3. Stiefenhofer GER, 18. Anderson, 19. Pearton. C2: 1. Vala/Slucik SVK, 2. Simon/Mueller GER, 3. Aymard/Pigeron FRA, 11. Walling/Walling.

A few problems have occurred during the season with athletes training on the Tryweryn. Firstly, please read the year book for access times at races, and please stick to these allotted times. The times do change from race to race so please be aware, if doubt check with the centre. The problems regarding payment for the last two years of racing have been sorted out with financial help from the BCU.

A big thank you must go to Paul Owen, John Anderson, Richard Lee and Loel Collins for their help in resolving the payment situation. A number of arrangements have now been agreed by the centre management.

All athletes using the river are required to sign in at the centre and if not in receipt of a free pass, PAY. As of 1999 athletes will get free use of the river on race weekends provided they have entered the race prior to the race weekend and their name appears on the start list. The start list will be at the centre from Saturday morning, when you check in you will be given a free race pass for the weekend.

The pass will allow you access on our exclusive slots for training and shared use of the river when the tours are on. Please be courteous to other river users and remember they probably don't understand how fast you go, how expensive your boats are and how difficult they are to turn and stop. Don't get annoyed with them if they don't get out of your way, they don't know the racing line and are probably petrified at the sight of you bearing down on them in a funny shaped boat at high speed.

Egress at the road bridge is strictly prohibited, this has always been the rule, if you abuse this condition we may lose the lower part of the river. The rules regarding egress at the lay- by are slightly different, the numbers of paddlers using the river will dictate weather the lay-by can be used. If you want to use the lay-by, again, ask at the centre it is not usually a problem.

We can at certain times have sole or shared free use of the top site before 9:30 on release days, this includes the stilling basin section. If we use the early slots the centre will provide us with a minibus and trailer up until 9:30, so if you want squad or team training please let the coaches know so we can book it. The offer is only for organised squad training with coaches in attendance and not for private groups or individuals

If you are training on the river at other times please check with the centre to see if other teams are using sections of river or if any restrictions apply. Please do not abuse the system as relations with the centre are now very good.

Please strictly observe the above, the bottom line is, if in doubt ask the centre.

Neil Blackman         

• Less shivering and complaining on the riverbanks with paddlers using fleecy-wear.
• Wider variation in paddles bought, with more Descente, Chistie's, Caneli, Lettmann, Prijon.
• Fewer savages in evidence with lots of lightnings and imports from the Balkan states and Double Dutch.
• DRH will tell of his international retirement at every race.
• Cynthia becoming even more radiant.
• Streets hanging out of trees inspiring his boys whilst clanging his clanger.
• More paddlers fitting snuggly in moulded `Italian' seats.
• Scars and scabs on the lower back to match.
• A new Messiah will be found to follow in the footsteps of Stamps and Philippe Graille.
• New Div A winners.
• The Tees having loads of water on a race weekend.
• The welcome return of Alan Tordoff racing south of the boarder.
• Photos of Simon's wedding popping up at inopportune moments.
• A return to Tryweryn races starting a Llyn Celyn Dam (hoorah).
• Loads of Lactate, enjoyment and good racing.