Well the heavens opened up last night in Slovenia, heavy rain fell along the Soca valley. Robin Jeffery's parents arrived this morning from Bovec and they indicated that the rain was torrential at Bovec and on the way down to Solkan. The course is feed by from up the valley towards Bovec. A number of small dams exist on the river. It rained this morning until about 10am in Solkan.

Our training session was at Midday for a number of the team, those who paddled on Thursday had decided that today was a rest day. The beginning of the session saw the water level higher than normal, by the end of the session the water had risen substantially.

Some discussion between the organisers hinted to a potential issue for the racing this weekend. The rivers were flooded up the valley and the water authorities were going to release the water to prevent flooding. Water volumes for the race where to be about 80 cumec, by the end of our session it was running at around 110 to 120. It was expected in the afternoon that the water would be at 200 cumec. The Team Manager meeting at 4pm would reveal more.

Phil M and Roz had their boats scrutineered for a second time to check weight compliance, both passed with flying colours.

Well the Managers meeting was more than interesting, demonstration run for the evening were postponed to Midday on Saturday if all is well. An emergency Team Managers meeting will be held at 10am on Saturday morning to determine whether the event will commence on Saturday. A number of options were discussed and put forward:-

1) If the water drops to 100 cumec qualification rounds will be held on Saturday afternoon. Demonstration runs at 12 noon and competition to commence at 1pm.
2) If the water does not drop below 180 cumec then the qualification rounds be abandoned on Saturday and the event will be contested over two runs on Sunday.
3) Some suggestion from the managers at the meeting was to run with the competition on Saturday what ever the water level.

At this stage a decision will be made at the 10 o'clock meeting on Saturday morning regarding the program of events. But this is how it is shaping up:-

1) 10 am meeting - decision to proceed with competition
2) 12 Noon Demonstration runs
3) 1pm Competition begins - Qualification runs for C2 and K1M Run 1 & 2
4) 3:45 - Qualification runs for C1 and K1W Run 1 &2

These times are estimates as an official start-list will not be issued until Midday Saturday.

Sundays program will run as scheduled.-
10:45 Fore-runners
11:00 Semi-Finals
14:00 Finals
16:00 Award Ceremony

The cut off for Semi Finals and Finals are:-

Semi- Finals: K1M - 40 boats; C1 - 40 Boats; K1W - 40 Boats; C2 - 10 Boats
Finals: K1M - 10 boats; C1 - 10 Boats; K1W - 10 Boats; C2 - 10 Boats

Sorry if this is a bit confusing but this is how it has unfolded at this stage. Will keep you posted.

Also, Christine and Ali Borrows found there way to the course today, good to seem them arrive safely and another two for the support team.

Check out some of the photos for today on the Web.

The kids have gone down to check out the course, to see what they may be competing in tomorrow.

Cheers

Geoff