Today started bright and early with a scorcher of a day both on and off the water, the weather is fantastic and no sign of flooding!
The Men’s K1 Prelim heats started at 7am with both Dave and Thomas in heat number one followed closely with Ronnie in heat two,
The day started well with Dave having the ride of his life putting down a solid series of tricks to leave him with 405 points next up was Thomas who showed his knowledge of the hole with a two tight rides with smooth cartwheel transitions and the crux moves of shuvits and spins dropped in for good measure. posting a ride of 472.
Ronnie dropped in, well and truly finding his mojo, with one fantastic entry move sending the Irish supporters wild! he increased his advantage with sharp loops and quick cartwheels for a smooth 310 score.P5220210
Bowsie was next of the Irish down in heat 12 showing international experience with clear composed ride plans linking well to post a ride of 345.
Last but by no means least Barry stepped up to the plate last of the Irish men sealed the deal with two fast and furious rides really showing what the Irish are capable of big loops, space Godzilla’s helix’s to post a best score of 696 points leaving him in 30th position.P5220187
With the cut set to the top 25 unfortunately the seniors missed out, but their was plenty more to come.
After Lunch was the junior girls turn to prove a point two of Irelands best junior paddlers full of confidence and showing constant improvement up first was Niamh with an unlucky flush and some squirt boats in a whirly on the eddy line taking valuable time, but still composed second ride saw a great shuvit to put points on the board and leave her in 19th place
Caoimhe was up next with the junior ladies separated by one move she had a lot to do, with good movement and vision she saw the opportunity’s for spins not quite finding the angles on the shuvits and unfortunately not finding the plug for the loops left her in 17th position
The flood meeting was called for 1400 to be explained that the high water is due for tomorrow afternoon evening so tomorrows schedule is set to start early and finish by 1400 with a further meeting tomorrow – sounds like the Irish weather.P5220199
Junior men were last up with Conor, Robbie and Billy all ready to rock, the music was playing and all that was left was for three young Junior boys become Men with conors huge loops Robbies clear controlled cartwheels and helix’s and Billy’s mcnastys all three became men!
Conor saw the huge loops and space Godzilla’s leave him with 300 points, Robbie’s cool control gave him a stylish 275 and Billy’s huge bonus gave him a whopping 456 and leaving him in number 10 spot and a place in tomorrows semi finals!P5220214
Today was a hugely successful day and one of the proudest of Irish freestyle with the emergence of five young athletes who have gained bags of experience the future is bright for Irish Freestyle kayaking.
.Adrian
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Name Points Position
Conor Macken 300 21
Robbie O Shea 276 22
Billy Brett 456 10
Barry Loughnane 696 30
Thomas Dunphy 471 39
Brian Cahill 346 47
David O Sullivan 405 44
Ronan Brennen 310 54
Adrian Durrant 156 20
Niamh Cleary 5 19
Caoimhe Farrell 20 17
John O Rourke 298 13