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Worlds 2008 - V12's hit the water

V12 racing started today, the adaptive paddlers were the first V12 crews to cross the line.

There are quite a number of teams and individuals here, who fall into the adaptive category.
Adaptive means, they have some sort of physical disability. This can range from the loss of a limb, through to being paraplegic.

For example, one of the paddlers, has a prosthetic arm, and is able to paddle and do the changes just fine, which is pretty amazing when you think about it.

So next time you are out in the canoe, and finding it hard, spare a thought for those who have it harder then you, and imagine how difficult it would be with only one leg or arm.

Italy Adaptive Team Hawaii Adaptive Team Hawaii Adaptive Take Gold

Doing the results, it is quite evident how strong the Tahitian contingent is. For example, in the J16, J19 and Master Men V1 finals, seven of the eight lanes are Tahitian paddlers.

As always, remember, full results, lane draws, race schedules, times, places, more information then you ever needed to know, (except for team lists, sorry) is available at www.ivfworldsprints.com. The searchable results are updated live as the event unfolds, the PDF's are loaded at the end of each days racing.

So what have the kiwi's been up to today ?

Katja Hildebrandt from New Zealand powers it home, a very strong finish from the Golden Master Women V1 paddler.

This lady is a machine, keep you eyes, on the V1 500 final (Race 281), as Katja is the top seed. (over 5 seconds faster then the next qualifier)

The New Zealand women are at it again, in lane 4 of the Golden Master Women - V6 500m races.

Aotearoa Haka placed 4th in a time of 2:41.00
Aotearoa Te Ara Poutama take out first place in the Golden Master Women - V6 500 Heat 3 of 3 with a time of 2:30.34

Linda is one of the main event organisers behind the Sacramento 2008 IVF Va'a Worlds Sprints.

In between running the event and attending IVF meetings she even managed to squeeze in a couple of races herself. (Either she is real laid back, or extremely good at hiding the stress of running an event this scale)

 

The lovely ladies at ID Card central. Dianna (in the green) is Linda's sister. Diana got the job of printing all the idcard badges for all the paddlers.

Henry "Eagle Eyes" Maihota, is from Tahiti, he is our finish order spotter.

This guy is sharp. Your results are in good hands with him.

Now I can't remember her name, but this lady is one of our "english speaking" announcers.

Apparently she helps organise one of those sprint events you have over there in little old New Zealand

When you call for an ambulance here, they send half the fire brigade too.

I am told, the risk of bush fire is so high here, they would rather not take the risk, and and always send a fire unit or two to the scene, just incase.