Prague World Cup - prelims

Its been a little damp outside today, to say the least, so there was some tough decision making as to whether to do this (cafes, pancakes, sitting in the van/tent, staying warm/dry inside whilst watching the torrential rain):

or watch this (Junior Mens & Mens K1 prelims whilst getting soaking wet in the torrential rain): 

I'm afraid to say I've done a whole lot more of the former (and the mens heats are still happening whilst I type this). 

I did however emerge from the van for just long enough to see Maxime from France get some huge loops, phonix monkeys and a whole load of other big aerial moves to put him at the top of the Junior men's category:

I did hear a few of the guys commenting that they were happy they were no longer juniors! 

Unfortunately our only British junior competitor, Tom Turner, didn't quite manage to complete the moves he was going for and didn't make it through to the next round. 

From the few rides I have seen so far in the men's, Mathieu (France), EJ and Peter Csonka look to be fighting it out for a top spot with all of them getting aerial moves (phonix monkey's, McNasty's) in both directions with some super-super clean cartwheels from Mathieu and a

 lunar orbit from Peter. 

Peter Csonka looping (or maybe finishing a Mcnasty or phonix monkey)

There were strong rides as well from Toumas (Poland) and Ed Smith (GB). 

I'm afraid I didn't watch anyone else and there were still a lot of competitors to go so when I made for the cafe. There were one or two spectators still battling it out in the rain though so I'll try and get an update from them later! 

As for me, I'm up first thing tomorrow morning so I'm hoping: a) all of those who got knocked out today aren't going to get horrendously drunk and keep me awake until the early hours:); b) the violent vomiting 'river-bug' that has affected a large number of paddlers isn't going to kick in anytime soon and c); it will stop raining so my kit will be vaguely dry by morning....

hmmm...wishful thinking....