Saturday 6th June - Merano Race Day, Qualifications.
The day started with a thunder storm at 6.00am which turned into continuous rain for the rest of the day Breakfast was at 7.00am followed by the demonstration runs down at the course.
The qualifications course was challenging but possible for all with the medium water level. The morning session included the C1M and K1W classes. These progressed well with the team being successful with 5 paddlers through to the Semi's.
The afternoon was a little different with raising water levels (yes still raining) started with the C1W class which unfortunately included only 2 paddlers Jess and Ali. They both did well considering the water levels had changed the course from Challenging to very difficult - the girls only did run 1 and decided to save energy for the semi's.
The men's K1 event was a lesson in having a good first run and not relying on using the second run to improve. With the raising water the course became extremely difficult with 2 off the upstream gates almost in the full flow of the river. Jaxon was in 15th place after Run 1 and as it was almost impossible to have a good 2nd run he finished the qualifications in 16th. Very difficult for the other members of the team but the have all benefitted from racing on a natural river with the added unknowns.
End of racing and we had 6 off our team in the semi's - well done Jaxon, Jess, Ali, Antra, Ashleigh and Joey (C1). Considering this is a Senior ranking race and not a Junior Race - well done.
Early to bed ready for the next day's racing (it is still raining)

Colin