Day 24 - 10/7/05. Race day.

Semi finals for some, holding a video for others. There are benefits to making the semis. While most of the Aussie competitors felt they didn't perform to their potential, there were certainly some solid runs that with small changes would have landed the athletes in the finals. In any case, some quite respectable results were obtained, given that many athletes from other countries were making large mistakes.

Phil Gibbons, our sole mens K1 representative, lay down a stunning top section before cutting too fine a line on a stagger in the bottom section, paying the ultimate price...three 50 second penalties, puting him in 39th.

After just scraping in to the finals Jack managed to pull out his best run of the competition to slip him in to 25th. Jono was next and didn't quite perform as well on the water as he was with the girls off the water, he slipped in to 30th. Robbie and Craig were off right after each other, both had some stella sections but couldn't keep it together for the whole run, penalties being their major let down.

Roslyn had a red hot go at pipping a few of the older girls but some low break ins and trouble on the tricky bottom stagger put her back a few places. Emmie and Kate attacked the course with one thing in mind, to make the top ten and race the finals. Unfortunately for them the powerful water led to some close shaves with the poles and once again penalties let them down.

All in all a fairly mixed bag of results and feelings in the team. Everyone now knows how hard it is to perform to their ability when it counts and have all learnt valuable lessons, hopefully ones they will remember for the rest of their paddling careers.

It is now time for most of the team to head back to the chill of the Australian winter except for Emmie, Craig and Jacqui who will, I am sure, do us all proud in the 22's tour.

blah blah blah I am going to have a shower as this discussion doesn't seem to be going anywhere and I smell.

Justin