New Zealand Selection 1 & 2

Race video is available here. Check it out. http://youtu.be/NJKndmmHgEk Thanks to Galasport.

The sun shined in Kawerau over the weekend as 65 people turned out in force to battle for their place in the NZ National Slalom teams. With only 3 in each class there was some extremely tight and harsh racing.

Since qualifying for the Olympic Games, this meant I had already secured my spot on the NZ team for twenty12, but I was keen to have a pre-season thrash on the course and prepare a bit for the NZ Open next weekend at the National Whitewater Center at Mangahoe, Shannon. The Mens' K1 field was maybe the best we've had visit NZ for a race. Vavrinec Hradilek currently 3rd ranked in the world, Mike Kurt 7th ranked in the world & Pierre Bourdland #12 in the world all showing face to battle out on the Kawerau river.


Day 1 was great. The poles were barely above the water making for some imaginative techniques for getting around the gates. Any flashy moves were punished harshly with touches and with only a few splits separating the top few, it immediately threw you out of contention. Mike Kurt of Sui took the cake on day 1. I finished in 4th Place just 1.4secs behind.


On Day 2 it was again up to the Swiss Kurt to shine. He pulled off back to back victories edging out Vavra Hradilek for 2nd, and I finished 1.4 secs back again but this time in 3rd.

From here it is time to head South. We'll be racing qualifiers on Saturday, with Semis & finals on Sunday. It should be a good time.

Head on over to www.slalomnz.org.nz to check out the full results 
 
Check out www.mikedawson.co.nz