Thun training Saturday
We managed to get a few more rides in on today's training session, unfortunately this was not due to extra time or anything equally as exciting, but due to a super-flushy wave leading to short rides. In fact the wave disappeared completely for 15 minutes during our training slot (which was conveniently split between each of our groups - saving a little bit of moaning amongst the team!) and there were huge cheers from all when someone retained a front surf! We are all hoping the wave will be sorted out soon and really hoping we won't be competing on the flushy feature that was there today. The good thing is when it comes back in again it will seem really retentive!
I have been checking out some of the competition in the ladies' event, though have so far only managed to watch a few of the teams that paddle in the morning - USA, GER, CAN, NOR(we are always hanging out at the campsite).
From the few ladies I have seen Emily Jackson and Ruth Gordon are looking hard to beat with super-vertical back stabs/air back stabs from Emily and some back pan-ams from Ruth. Our own Emily Wall has been getting some really nice back stabs. Although some of the ladies are going for other moves not many are retaining, but there are some good felixes/helixes and donkey flips that are sometimes being thrown (although I'm not sure how many are getting the 180 deg of air that is required). The wave is hard for the women as you have to generate all of your own take off speed - the wave gives you nothing! For me, as a lazy paddler who likes a wave to give me a nice 'take off' shoulder and a good bounce, I'm finding it hard work!
I haven't watched many of the men or other categories and again haven't seen many countries, but Nick Troutman stands out as one to beat - on a flushy wave in the dark last night, his first ride of his session he had a near-on 5 minute ride (!!) throwing just about every move possible, with some really straight and very aerial air-screws, and much to the annoyance of everyone in the queue (but to the delight of the crowd) retained every one. He then got off.
From percentages of boats I am going to make an easy prediction that the winner of each category will most likely be in a Jackson, a Project (there are a mixture of several slightly broken-looking carbon ones, some nice-looking carbon ones (I don't think they have been on the water yet) and the rest are plastic) or a carbon design (Gui gui prod, or one of a few non-production designs). There are only a very small handful of other manufacturers' boats in the competition.
We are quite excited to have an afternoon session tomorrow (little things :)) as we have only had morning sessions so far. I may treat myself to a sleep in :)
I have been checking out some of the competition in the ladies' event, though have so far only managed to watch a few of the teams that paddle in the morning - USA, GER, CAN, NOR(we are always hanging out at the campsite).
From the few ladies I have seen Emily Jackson and Ruth Gordon are looking hard to beat with super-vertical back stabs/air back stabs from Emily and some back pan-ams from Ruth. Our own Emily Wall has been getting some really nice back stabs. Although some of the ladies are going for other moves not many are retaining, but there are some good felixes/helixes and donkey flips that are sometimes being thrown (although I'm not sure how many are getting the 180 deg of air that is required). The wave is hard for the women as you have to generate all of your own take off speed - the wave gives you nothing! For me, as a lazy paddler who likes a wave to give me a nice 'take off' shoulder and a good bounce, I'm finding it hard work!
I haven't watched many of the men or other categories and again haven't seen many countries, but Nick Troutman stands out as one to beat - on a flushy wave in the dark last night, his first ride of his session he had a near-on 5 minute ride (!!) throwing just about every move possible, with some really straight and very aerial air-screws, and much to the annoyance of everyone in the queue (but to the delight of the crowd) retained every one. He then got off.
From percentages of boats I am going to make an easy prediction that the winner of each category will most likely be in a Jackson, a Project (there are a mixture of several slightly broken-looking carbon ones, some nice-looking carbon ones (I don't think they have been on the water yet) and the rest are plastic) or a carbon design (Gui gui prod, or one of a few non-production designs). There are only a very small handful of other manufacturers' boats in the competition.
We are quite excited to have an afternoon session tomorrow (little things :)) as we have only had morning sessions so far. I may treat myself to a sleep in :)
posted by flea at 4:46 pm 
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home