Previews of Men's K1 and Men's C2

Men's K1 Preview
By Andrew Lasky
Infostrada Sports

Compact schedule reflects close competition
SYDNEY - A tighter schedule planned for Friday's competition is appropriate for a tight competition in the Men's K1 at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships at Penrith Whitewater Stadium Friday.

In a field comprising defending World Champion and 2004 Olympic bronze medallist Fabien Lefevre [FRA], Olympic gold medallist Benoit Peschier [FRA] and Olympic Silver medallist Campbell Walsh [GBR], picking favourites is a perilous task.

Also in Penrith, Slovenian Peter Kauzer and Dejan Krajl, who head into competition ranked 1st and 6th in the world, represent a growing number of younger competitors ready to make their name in international competition.

Italian Daniele Molmenti, currently ranked 2nd in the world, will also head into competition in good form.

Campbell Walsh [GBR] and David Ford [CAN] who also competed at the 2004 Olympic Games, maintain their 3rd and 4th results from Athens in rankings and will be aiming for clean runs on a course designed to complement technical ability as well as strength.

With less time to prepare between first a second runs, mental focus and concentration will also be a feature of successful runs.

Men's C2 Preview
By Joel Fitzpatrick
Infostrada Sports

A long day ahead for C2 paddlers

SYDNEY - Paddlers competing in Friday's C2 competition at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships being held at Penrith's Whitewater Stadium not only have to deal with tight competition but now, due to the postponement of the first day of competition, they have to fight their way down the course twice in the space of two hours.

High winds here all Thursday led organisers to abandon competition in the name of fairness, leaving the competitors facing a hard day tomorrow.

The Hochschorner brothers - Peter and Pavol - twice Olympic champions and currently ranked second in the world, will be fighting hard for the win with the Czech combination of Jaroslav Volf and Ondrej Stepanek, who hold the coveted number one ranking.

Australian spectators can cheer for Mark Bellofiore and Lachlan Milne who have been having a solid year after their decent result in the La Seu d'Urgell World Cup meet held in Spain earlier this year.

The Australians will have some tough competition in mid-pack against two strong German teams, the third ranked Skantar brothers -- Peter and Ladislav from Slovakia, and the British team who just missed a medal at the Athens Olympic Games.

All the C2 paddlers hit the water tomorrow for their first run at 13:45 with their second run scheduled for 15:52.

The semi-finals and final will be held on Sunday, 2 October.


Rescheduled qualifying sessions for Friday are as follows:
7:30 C1 Men 1st run.
8:30 K1 Women 1st run.
Interval
9:45 C1 Men 2nd run.
10:45 K1 Women 2nd run.
12:15 K1 Men 1st run.
13:45 C2 men 1st run.
Interval
14:30 K1 Men 2nd run.
15:52 C2 Men 2nd run.