After about 2000km of driving in Chris Wood’s Nissan Nirvara we finally made it to the inner depths of the Kawerau gorge that connects Queenstown and Cromwell. Thanks to the Dawson’s friends we have come to rest in luxury accommodation that lies in the midst of a vineyard, just opposite the ‘Dog Leg’ riverrun section of the Kawerau gorge. Leading up to the racing we did a few riverruns down 'Dogleg' and the 'Roaring Meg' which were pretty fun warm ups. Then on the Saturday we had the Pre Nationals Race. For me I performed best in my first run which is not usual for me. I put down a 119+4sec of penalties. Luuka Jones did a 118+2sec of penalties. Mike Dawson won the Mens K1 and Shaun Travers put down a fast time to take out the C1M. To be honest my run didn't feel super fast but I was on line and used the water well. I just needed to lift my arm to enable myself to execute more vertical strokes that would inevitably pull me faster down the course.
NATIONALS SUNDAY: I felt reasonably relaxed for my lead up into the National Championships race. The river was up by about 100cumecs due to the heavy rainfall the night before. Unfortunately I didn't quite perform in my first run touching 3 gates(6sec of penalties) and having to recirc for one of the gates. This gave me a time of 106+6 which I was not happy with. I tried to focus more for my 2nd run which was 3secs faster and clean. However not so smooth in some places. I could feel where I lost the time but all in all it wasn't too bad. Luuka Jones stomped the course with a fast and clean finish of 96secs, congrats to her for a good performance. My C1 was a total disaster, I lost my edges a bit and had a few rolls. I managed to have a clean 2nd run which meant I kept the Open NZL Woman/Man title ahead of Ella Nicholas and Mike Dawson! It was a battle against the boils that I had faced but well worth the fight!
Mike Dawson won the Mens, Shaun Travers took out the C1 once again and Roy Bailey and Pete Simpson showed off there mega Southern Man talent in the Mens C2 class! I should also mention a awesome performance put down by Jess Bailey, only 14years old from Wanaka. Jess put down a fast run of 109+2 placing 3rd women overall after Luuka and myself, showing great potential for the future!
I will put some pics up soon!
I am back in Otaki now, time for some rehab!
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