Races

Penrith is ready for the 2010 Oceania Open

By CSNFebruary 18, 2010

The 2010 Canoe slalom season kick starts this weekend with the Oceania Open being held at the Penrith Whitewater Stadium in Australia. The race will take place over the weekend (19-21 February) and it will follow standard format with qualification for all classes beginning tomorrow. Saturday will showcase the C1M and K1W Finals, with Sunday being the day the K1M C2 and C1W battle it out.

The Oceania Open is the 2nd ICF Ranking race of 2010 and points from continental event such as this are used in conjunction with the World Cups to determine the overall world cup winners. The Organization committee is testing the new system of progression to the semifinal. It will be 40 boats for K1M, 30 boats for C1M and K1W, and 20 boats for C2M and C1W. Course designers for this event are Mike Druce (AUS) and Thomas Masuy (FRA).

A huge number of athletes has arrived from around the world to attend this race, backed up by Australian contingent who are extremely strong on this course. With 208 starters from 19 countries including Olympic medallist and World Championships is a huge field in an event that will also double as the Australian National Selection Race 1&2 as well as the Oceania Championships, so a lot will be on the line as the athletes battle for the top spots.

Strong international teams present are the 16 members Canadian Team, NZ which has 17 athletes, Europe is represented strongly with great athletes from France, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Ireland, Great Britain and Kazakhstan. There are also Japanese athletes.

Competition schedule

18th February
9.45 PM CET	1st run Qualification C1M, K1W, C2M, K1M, C1W
19th February
1.30 AM CET	2nd run Qualification C1M, K1W, C2M, K1M, C1W
11.00 PM CET	Semifinal C1M, K1W
20th February
1.10 AM CET	Final C1M, K1W
10.00 PM CET	Semifinal C2M, C1W, K1M
21st February
1.00 AM CET	Final C2M, C1W, K1M