Sunday, 9 July 2006
Solkan, SLO

This morning dawned bright and sunny with big US Team enthusiasm for our Semifinalists. Paris Robinson was the first off the start, and paddled well with only one touch and a minor time error. Without these mistakes, Paris would have been in or near the top ten, and the Final. Just two minutes later, Ashley Nee came blazing down the course, clean, but unfortunately not with the speed she showed in her last full-length practice. Both ladies wound up placing in the teens, a respectable showing.

US C1s Poe, Eichfeld and Fraker paddled well in the Semis, inspiring some comments about how there may be a new USA C1 sweep on the horizon. Poe raced well throughout the competition, performing the best we’ve ever seen from him, and executing his plan well in each run. Eichfeld pushed hard all the way through his Semi run, with no touches and only a time error near the bottom to move into the Finals in 9th place.

July 9, 2006 Solkan, Slovenia

Jure Poberaj (Bethesda, Md.) paddled exceptionally well in the men’s kayak on Sunday, finishing sixth at the ICF Slalom Junior World Championships in Solkan, Slovenia. Son of US head coach Silvan Poberaj, born in Slovenia and a current Bethesda, Md. native, Poberaj was paddling on the Soca River just down the hill from where he spent his early childhood. In this return to his roots, he was phenomenal.

Also placing well for the US at the Junior World Championships was Benn Fraker (Peachtree City, Ga.) in the men’s canoe. Fraker was one of the favorites in the event, having won the Pre-World Championships event on this course last year. After the semi-final run Fraker was third and in position to medal. Unfortunately, a couple of penalties in the final proved costly and kept him off the podium. The final run by no means detracts from the 5th place finish on the top stage in the world for a junior slalom athlete.

Detailed results will be available through event website.

And for pictures check our photo gallery.

The 2006 Junior World Championships is underway! We have just wrapped up
the Demonstration Runs for the Qualifier course here on the Soca River in
Solkan, Slovenia. Hundreds of spectators lined the banks on an afternoon
with sunny skies and light breezes as 10 older athletes paddled the race
course in sections, showing that the course is reasonable and fair. Demo
athletes included USA Senior and Development Team members Molly Stock and
Aaron Mann. The official Demonstration Runs are the only opportunity for
the young athletes to see the course being run before the start of
competition at 9:00 am on Friday 7 July.

Thursday, 6 July 2006

Solkan, Slovenia

USA Junior team members are enjoying the brilliant and refreshing turquoise waters of the Reka Soca in Solkan, Slovenia.

This morning is the last training opportunity for all athletes on the slalom course.

Demonstration runs will take place today at 3:00 pm, followed by the opening ceremony at 8:00 tonight in downtown Nova Gorica.

All of the USA paddlers are doing well, in good spirits and energetically awaiting their opportunity to race.

K1W and C1 athletes will race two qualification runs and two team runs on Friday, with C2 and K1 athletes having their chance at qualification the next day.

John Gerstenberger places second in junior class in Tacen (SLO).
For junior results check the K1m 2.tek class at link below.

Detailed results available through event website.

I write from my room in the Hotel Duo, a twin-towered monster of a tourist hotel on the outskirts of Prague.
A large group of Italian tourists is celebrating Mass in the beer garden below my window. The ritual flows each morning, words and chants in Italian and Latin, punctuated by occasional laughter and song from the celebrants. Spirito Santo, Alleluia, in alto nuestro cuori, Padre Santo. Santo, Santo, Santo e Signore. The sun approaches the serene verdant garden surrounding the congregation. The Italians join hands in prayer, the priest in his spectacles and wearing long white robes passes communion around the circle. One man flips up his clip-on shades to accept the wafer. The celebrants sing. Padre, Figlio e Spirito Santo.

Check out some photos from the training camp in our Gallery.

June 12, 2006

Waking up to the smell of café au lait and fresh croissants and baguette in a comfortable hotel in the south of France cannot be overrated. Add to that the prospect of a relaxing morning at the shore, and it makes the prospect of driving across Europe much more palatable.

We hit the beach (except for Silvan and Jim Wade, who hit the road in their search for a windsurf rental shop) and did whatever we wanted. Activities included bikinis (wearing and/or watching), sleeping in the sun, paddling in the surf, open-water distance swimming, abs and core exercises, walking the beach, looking for shells, or simply sitting on a rock looking out to sea.

June 11, 2006

After wrapping up at World Cup #3 in Seu, the US Slalom Team split up.

Team Leader Angela Lokken and Coach Rafal Smolen headed to Barcelona to drop off the C2 team of Smith and Kvanli, as they and USOC Physiotherapist Gina Maggio would catch flights back to the US from there. Ang and Rafal then continued on to Munich to return the rental car and catch their flights back to the USA.

World Championship Team members Scott Parsons, Brett Heyl, Jim Wade, Jamie Tidmore, Molly Stock, Zuzana Vanha, Austin Crane, Jeff Larimer and Benn Fraker traveled towards Prague with coaches Poberaj and Hearn.