Live Streaming of MiniSella

Link for Live Streaming tomorrow Wednesday August 3rd of the Mini Sella, U14 race held in Ribadesella prior to the big onw on Saturday. Link: http://www.facebook.com/ifomogrupo

Thoughts about the ICF proposal for the modification of the canoeing program in Tokio 2020 (and Part 3)

(This article is the third and last of this series. You can read here Part 1 and Part 2).

[NOTE OF THE AUTHOR: Please, have in mind that this article was made for an Spanish audience and trying to explain the information arriving to our country. It may happen that this information is incomplete (no German or Hungarian news, for instance, languages too difficult for this writer) or vision may be completely different depending on the country you live in. All feedback will be appreciated, do not hesitate to comment]

Well, at this point, we agreed that we would today revisit the interests mostly at a street level, which seems out of range for the control of the marketing department of Coca-Cola (kidding... and by saying Coca-Cola, I mean Red Bull or any other brand that comes to your mind).

Here I have made a mental map that divides the world into two. Two main areas of influence, one in favor of leaving things as they are (or making changes according to this status) and another in favor of change and give especially much more weight in the decision to gender parity. The first is made up of Great Britain and Russia. Second, Canada and Australia. This division is not fictitious nor capricious. Anyone who regularly follow in the world of canoeing publications from diaries or magazines to social networks, youtube, etc., will be able to guess where the shots come from, definitely I will not discover gunpowder today. Much of what I will present here is already known for some time, but at least I try to summarize so you can understand as clearly as possible.

Why Great Britain and Russia are not intended to give greater weight to women? Because that would force to cut down men disciplines. In the case of K2 200 and Slalom C2 the thing seems already clear, in Rio the last medals will be given in these races. In fact, the K2 200 was a rookie career in London, replacing the K2 500. Well, then let's go back for a while to London 2012. Who showed the greatest display of power of all the Olympics, according to me? Two gentlemen called Yuri Postrigay and Alexander Dyachenko. Where are they from? Russia. In the same race, the bronze went to two other regulars on the podiums in 200m, Liam Heath and Jonathan Schofield. British, to be more explicit.

Let's see the Slalom C2. Gold for Timothy Baillie and Etienne Stott, silver for David Florence and Richard Hounslow. Where are these four paddlers from?...

Thoughts about the ICF proposal for the modification of the canoeing program in Tokio 2020 (Part 2)

(Continuing from Part 1, which you can read here)

As commented, this whole thing encloses a series of interest, more or less dark, but some of which are very easy to see. The first and foremost in my view, it is the perpetuation of the ruling classes. It is well known that the president of the ICF, José Perurena, is also president of the Organization of the World Games and a permanent member of the IOC, more after his membership was extended after reaching the age of retirement, making his weight within the Committee go through next level. Knowing as Jacques Rogge, after the election of Tokyo in the assembly of Buenos Aires 2013, declared his willingness to step down after the Games in Rio ... then there's no need to be very smart to connect some dots and see that Perurena is very interested to get on well with his colleagues in the IOC.

So far, everything fine. Anyone who says that this effort in reducing costs and reaching gender parity has been asked to all federations, can also be right, but a different thing is the effort put in each federation to make it happen. Some of them are not very willing to oppose too, since its weight in the Olympic program is much lower. That is the case of canoeing ... or not, wait, didn't we said that the president of the ICF is a heavyweight in the IOC? ... Well, then maybe Perurena's weight is just personal, it doesn't belong to canoeing as a sport.

This is already explaining things a bit more. Not to mention the precedent, bleeding, ...

Thoughts about the ICF proposal for the modification of the canoeing program in Tokio 2020 (Part 1)

I've never been to the Olympics. I'm not even halfway to be able to get the flip flops of the paddlers in Rio this summer. And, unfortunately, it seems that over the years my chances of competing in future editions of the Games will have to be expressed in scientific notation.

None of my family is also linked to the ICF, or the IOC, or trademarks or institutions that finance or profit from canoeing or any of its derivatives. And judging by the laughter when this topic appears, they have even less faith than I in that one family member ends on top of an Olympic podium. If that member is me, the laughter becomes almost insulting.

Well, at this point you will be thinking what the hell is this guy telling me. It is to make it clear that everything I will say next is interest free. Although I actually think it is full of interest, the interest a purely personal opinion can have, but that is the fruit of love for our sport and the passion with which any spectator enjoying on TV (or, hopefully, live) how the best paddlers in the world make fly on an Olympic venue the same boat that we, mortals, have been woefully dragging on our village waters that morning.

As you know you who follow us on our Facebook page, last week ICF moved to IOC its proposal for the redistribution of categories and disciplines facing the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games,...

Río Negro, final stage: Pinta and Mozzicafredo reign over Río Negro for the 13th time. Alonso claims his first victory

Río Negro saw yesterday afternoon  the final of the XL edition of its Regatta with the traditional stage between San Javier and Viedma, with the arrival to a crowded river promenade full of people who could enjoy a great sunny day by the river.

Néstor Pinta and Martín Mozzicafredo celebrate their record 13th absolute victory in Río Negro. Photo: DeViedma.info

In the race itself, no surprises. The last stage followed the expected script. On the entrance to Viedma there was a leading group of five boats, where Balboa and Guerrero marked the pace downstream, looking for the buoy where they would have to return back to Viedma to face the finish line upstream.

It was clear that they were tightening the pace and the group started losing units. Finally, three K2s faced the sprint in front of the crowd at the Viedma shore.

Río Negro, day 5: The Regatta, almost decided after longest stage

The 67 km of the fifth and longest stage of Río Negro Regatta, left the race almost ready for the final podium, unless unexpected accidents, and followed the script written by the leaders through all this week. Néstor Pinta and Martín Mozzicafredo kept stuck to their conservative tactics and left again the weight of the race on Balboa and Guerrero, who finally took again the partial victory, but scratching just 5 seconds to those from Patagones, virtual winners of the Regatta, as it would be very difficult for them to lose their 4'30" advantage. On this occasion, the third K2 on the podium, Jonathan Muñoz and Andrés Roth, managed to complete the entire part in the group head, finishing 12 seconds after the winners.

Alonso will achieve today his first title at Río Negro. Photo: Diario Río Negro

Interesting was the race in K1. Iván Alonso (ESP) with its title secured, opted this time for a conservative pace that would allow to...

Indoor Ergo Danish Camps, on livestream next Sunday

Good news for kayak fans, most of all those who are not in Copenhagen this weekend. The already traditional Indoor Danish Championships, competed on a line of ergometers facing directly the public as in a theatre, will be broadcasted live on youtube next Sunday morning, CET.

From the Rødovre Centrum, we will be able to follow the "steady" races from the U12 to the senior and masters categories. Olympic stars like Renæe Poulsen will not appear, as they are focused on their winter training camps, but some other tope level paddlers, like Orion Pilo and Pernille Knudsen will be there competing for this alternative winter title.

We will al be able to follow the livestream at this link. And the results will be updated live here.

Río Negro, day 4: Pinta and Mozzicafredo, one step closer to final victory

The 4th stage of Río Negro saw how its route, by problems with the access to the river, and modality were changed on the intended plan by the organizers, finally been raced over 57 km (14 more than the stipulated) and with a elapsed start every 15 seconds for senior K1 and K2, which was something initially programmed for the 3rd stage.

Balboa - Guerrero (left) and Pinta - Mozzicafredo (right) during yesterday's stage. Photo: Diario Río Negro

So, after the draw, the fact was that Balboa and Guerrero were meant to start just 15 seconds ahead of Pinta and Mozzicafredo. They had no other chance, then, to push hard and try to put some pressure on their rivals.

Río Negro, day 3: Pyrrhic victory of Balboa and Guerrero after a time penalty

The third stage of Río Negro Regatta, after the first day off, made the 38 kilometers between Luis Beltrán and Choele Choel, again under a blazing sun.

On the water, little news. Again a tight marking between the two favorite  K2s. Balboa and Guerrero became winners again of the stage, but followed only 5 seconds away by Pinta and Mozzicafredo who look to have the young champions under control. In addition, the rest day was used by the organization to set up a report with the penalties imposed on the second stage, where Balboa and Guerrero were penalized with one minute for skipping a buoy getting advantage. This eventually causes the difference in overall after this third stage is increased in 55 seconds for Pinta and Mozzicafredo.

Salvo and Alonso entering the finish line. Photo: César Daniel Nahuelcura

In the K1s, several penalties of 15 seconds for the same reason, but with no major changes in the first positions. The senior category lived another day of transition, with the Spanish Iván Alonso comfortably leading the race, this time accompanied all the entire stage by the U23 Nicolás Salvo, merit the Spaniard recognized at the finish coming together and hand by hand with the youngster from Neuquén, among the applause of the crowd. And that does not mean at all that this third day was a walk at the park for these guys. Keep in mind that in a stage of 38 km these two K1s arrived within four minutes of the first K2s, which certainly speaks well of the strong pace they managed to sustain.

Results after 3 days:
STAGE
OVERALL

Río Negro, day 2: Spaniard Iván Alonso crushes the race in K1

Finished the first third of Black River with the arrival yesterday to Villa Regina and, regarding the K1s, the race is already virtually decided except further surprises. Iván Alonso put the hammer down and showed his quality along the 59 km. of the stage. Since the eighth kilometre made a solo paddle in the absence of rivals that could hang up on his wash. His companion on the first stage, the U23 Nicolás Salvo, yesterday finished second more than 7 minutes away from Alonso.

Photo: Diario Río Negro

It was not that clear the race of the K2s, where Pinta and Mozzicafredo this time were second behind Balboa and Guerrero. The defending champions did not make the mistake of the first day and all the first half of this long second session (they went up to three hours at the finish line) was performed in a compact group that had up to eight boats. Gradually, of course, they were losing effectives until midway Balboa and Guerrero decided to attack after two hours of paddling in the bunch.

Río Negro, day 1: Victorious return of Pinta and Mozzicafredo

Pinta and Mozzicafredo facing the finish line. Photo: Matías Subat

The first stage of the 40th edition of the Río Negro Regatta (Argentina) recovered the starring of the river kings, Néstor Pinta and Martin Mozzicafredo. The 12-time champions returned to the water after an absence of two years and cutted from its roots the expectations about their duel with the defending champions, Franco Balboa and José Luis Guerrero, who yesterday, in the first assault, lost more than three minutes despite being the second boat through the finish line.

For the second time in history, the race began in the town of Cipolleti and not in Neuquen, the usual starting point. With some unstable and cloudy weather, Balboa and Guerrero took the lead just after the start and set a blistering pace.

Pontevedra wants to bid for 2020 Marathon Worlds

Since yesterday, through a statement letter released by the Galician Canoe Federation, Pontevedra has given its approval to become candidate city to host the Canoe Marathon World Championships in 2020.

The Galician city, which this summer will host the European Championships, wants this way to strengthen its presence on the international map through canoeing, sport to which has already been associated for decades through race events and all the paddlers who have been born and raised there.

In the final vote, which will take place during 2016 by the ICF, Pontevedra will face the bids of the towns of Hazelwinkel (Belgium) and Bærum (Norway), the latter home to the prestigious Oslo Kajakklub, located by the fjord in the municipality adjacent to the Norwegian capital.

If so, Pontevedra could join the long list of venues that have already organised these championships and would follow the already confirmed Brandenburg (GER, 2016), Pietermaritzburg (RSA, 2017), Vila Verde (POR, 2018) and Shaoxing (CHN, 2019).

Pontevedra from the air, crossed by river Lérez

Isaquias Queiroz, athlete of the year in Brazil

Canoeist Isaquías Queiroz has been chosen by the Brazilian Olympic Committee as the best athlete of Brazil during 2015.

After his two medals at the World Championships in Milan (gold in C2 1000 and bronze in C1 200) and the three golds at the PanAmerican Games in Toronto, the new pupil of Suso Morlán won the voting over the tennis player Marcelo Melo and the beach volleyball couple Alison and Bruno.

"I thank God and my coach (Morlán) for this achievement. Without him I wouldn't be the athlete that everyone knows nor reach the big goals I'm reaping" were his first remarks after the news were known.

Queiroz, who everything seems to indicate that will attempt at the Olympics in Rio to get three medals (C1 200 and C1 and C2 over 1,000), adds a new step in its relentless rise to sports stardom, not only within the world of the canoeing, but general sport and Olympism in his country.

Great participation at the A Lanzada Ocean Race in Spain

Esteban Medina, main favorite, on the start line. Photo: Club de Mar Ría de Aldán

It was held last Saturday on the waters of the Rias Baixas (Galicia, Spain) the 2nd edition of the surfski race A Lanzada Ocean Race, strating from the beach of the same name and with a downwind format. The day, contrary to what might be expected at this time of year was sunny with not much wind, which made the competition go on very calm water, to the joy of some and despair of others, as often happens on these occasions.

Participation, in the same way, had nothing to detract from many of the races held at the height of the season, with 60 paddlers ...

2015 ICF Classic Series ranking results

Tom Brennan (IRL). Foto: www.canoe.ie

The ICF marathon classic series are over for the current year with the dispute of the Shaoxing Canoe Marathon in China (site that will host the 2019 World Marathon Championships), so the global rankings of the World Series have determined the winners. After a quick look, you can already ser thta this formula is not established yet as it was conceived, although it is true that has opened a bit more the taste for travelling & competing (as we recently could check in the French Ardèche Marathon). But as usual, the big problem ...

SAS Hurley Classic 2015 - LIVE Streaming

Follow live from the UK on live streaming videa the SAS Hurley Classic of freestyle canoeing, oldest event in the world in this discipline, since 1989:

Lucas and Boulanger take the win at the Ardèche International Marathon. Kiko Vega claims the singles title

The winners crossing the finish line. Foto: Mikael Anisset for www.midilibre.fr

French crew of Edwin Lucas and Stephane Boulanger won the 31st edition of the International Marathon of the Ardèche, which took place last Saturday November 7th on the 30 km. the villages of Vallon Pont d'Arc and Saint Martin d'Ardèche (FRA). After a few days with fairly high level of water in the river, finally the race was held at a level of about 48 cm. on the Salavas Bridge marker (which means about 140 cubic meters per second).

Surprisingly, the start was given almost 10 minutes before the scheduled time because of the difficulties of the more than 800 competitors at Vallon Pont d'Arc to stay steady on the strong stream.

Olimpic champion Tate Smith, banned for two years after doping confirmation

Tate Smith winning his gold medal in London 2012

Tate Smith, front paddler in the Australian K4 who took gold at the last Olympics in London 2012, has been confirmed for a two-year ban after testing positive on stanozolol, an anabolic steroid, which was detected in a routine test in the summer 2014 during the Australian team training camp in Hungary.

After being confirmed positive in counteranalysis, the decision of the Court of Arbitration for Sport has been finally declared, but with retroactive effect and then backdated to the provisional suspension of the athlete, who was on September 8th 2014, so he's gost now one more year to follow. Regarding the respect of the canoeing world, he will probably get some more time.

Stanozolol is the same substance that caused the ban in 2005 of the double olympic silver medalist and world champion in 500 metres Nathan Baggaley, who meant actually his total decline in sports and life itself. He is currently in prison in Australia for a crime against public health, after being found guilty for possession and dealing of methamphetamine.

Eurochallenge Surfski: first race to be followed live by GPS in Spain

A new small step will happen tomorrow in following races live in Elite Kayak's homeland, Spain. It is well known that, unless a helicopter or good bunch of motorboats is taken, it is very difficult to broadcast a race in open sea. But technology comes to the rescue with a very valid method to fill the gap left by the lack of images. Starting tomorrow, the Eurochallenge of Surfski held in Villajoyosa (Alicante, Spain) can be followed live through the movements of each paddler on their onboard GPS. If it work properly, hopefully we can enjoy some great days of surfski. In the frame below should be visible the coloured lines live. About the schedule, we must be vigilant, because the races are subject to wait for the best possible weather conditions for a downwind, which can happen at any time over the weekend.

On the other hand, the race is Spanish National trial to set the team to wear the ESP colors at the World Champs to be held in October in Tahiti (French Polynesia). Along with the best national paddlers, they will be top stars at the starting line like the current world champion Sean Rice (RSA).

European Sprint Championships in Racice (CZE)

This Friday starts in Racice (Czech Republic) European Championship Speed. All start lists are already published on the event webpage that also will be uploading live results:

http://europecanoeevents.com/live-results/time-table

We will try our best to cover this championships through our twitter account: https://twitter.com/EliteKayak

This is the gorgeous look that had this morning the venue. We wish I could stay like that for the days of the competition, we would all enjoy it.

(Picture by Anne Dickins, from Paracanoe GB Team:Annedickins24.blogspot.com )