The last 10 days have seen over 180
athletes arrive and begin training at the Nantahala Outdoor Centre.
For the last 8 days each of the 30 nations have been designated an
official training slot giving the athletes 3 minutes each of quality
uninterrupted training time.
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| 30 nations competing. Over 180 athletes training |
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Crowded eddies as training commences
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As each nation trained other
competitors gathered to watch and see how their competitors were
performing as they plan and prepare their own routines. Coaches
watched, filmed and fed back to the athletes helping fine tune their
performances ensuring they are completing each move perfectly to the
ICF descriptions, as every second is vital during the 45 second
competition runs and every move needs to count.
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| 2011 World Champions Pringle and ClaireO |
As the week has gone on the excitement
around the event has been building. The bleachers have gone up, the
lights now surround the feature, the judges stand, media and coaches
stand have been built and a massive TV screen has been set up
overlooking the hole. Accreditation has been issued, meetings are
being had. TV interviews are happening, photos, blogs and last night
the final piece of the picture; the opening ceremony in Bryson City.
The official opening of the 2013 World Championships event.
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Islay is ready!!!
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Thousands of people came to the small
mountain town to meet the athletes and watch the parade and
entertainment. Local children lead each team carrying placards with
the countries name on it and a big flag. The streets were lined two
or three people deep with family, friends and spectators. The
organisers, town officials and ICF gave speeches welcoming athletes
and spectators alike before a Cherokee group lead a fantastic
traditional dance session and introduced us to the history and
culture of the area. The official World Championship brass band
played out the national athems before the evening continued with live
music and a big air ramp kayak display of the main town bridge.
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Cherokee Dancer
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A local Cherokee youngster watches on
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Athletes fly through the sky of the big air ramp
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Then today the action moved back to the
NOC as the event kicked of with the Junior Men and OC1 prelims. We
already have 10 juniors through to the semi finals and 6 OC1's
through to the final. Its is official the 2013 World Championships
have definitely begun.
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| Jez competes in the OC1 heats |
I am starting my World Championship
journey tomorrow kicking of the action as the first paddler up in the
first heat in the Squirt Womens class at 11am (USA time).
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