Is anyone at the world sprints? If anyone would like to let us in on what's going on with reports, essays, or photos, I'd be happy to post in the main section for you. Other than that I guess we'll be keep a watch out for results on the website: http://worldsprints.wakaama.co.nz/
Good luck!
Submitted by keizo on Sun, 03/19/2006 - 11:16am
Talking about World Sprints........Hawaii is gettin' our asses handed!! What the F@*K??? Wish I was there to help! Does anyone have a clue as to why we are sooooo far behind in the medal count??? Or maybe its because we are just open ocean paddlers?? Whatever it is? There is no excuse, because Tahiti stomps in all conditions!!! TRAGIC!
#1 Fri, 03/24/2006 - 3:25pm
I don't know the numbers, but I would think the kids -- the 19 and under divisions -- have a lot to do with it. Since most have school I think.
#2 Fri, 03/24/2006 - 4:21pm
Remember this is rudderless racing in the V1 classes. Different game altogether as is sprint training and racing vs. open water distance racing/surfing. Different skills and training so I guess it comes down to who spent more time training specifically for sprints as teams and individuals for rudderless V1.
Just goes to show you how much depth there is in Tahiti, New Zealand and Australia in OC paddling.
#3 Fri, 03/24/2006 - 6:45pm
Hawaii has that kind of depth and skills to!! Don't you think?? And everyone who tried out for the rudderless V1 knows exactly what they are getting into. Now are we using our depth to represent that?? I dont think we are? For example.....look at Pat Dolan who was at the trials but got revoked because he didn't register before hand?? I mean, its obvious he would be the #1 representative in the under 19 divisions for Hawaii!!
I dunno man? I think Hawaii needs to put more emphasis on the sprints as does Tahiti, New Zealand, and the Aussie's!! This is called the "World Sprints!" for God Sake!!
#4 Sat, 03/25/2006 - 8:15am
check the website.......
http://worldsprints.wakaama.co.nz/index.php/en/story/100046/1/
#5 Sat, 03/25/2006 - 8:26am
Few thoughts. Hawaii focuses on the molokai channel (6man and 1man). Tahiti seems to focus on World Sprints. School is an issue for the youth. Pat had the fastest time for all of hawaii in 2004 trials. He was in europe representing the US for kayaking when registration had to be done this time around. Encourage more youth to use a V1, its different but very similar.
Hawaii has the depth and talent, but doesnt focus of world sprints.
#6 Sat, 03/25/2006 - 2:12pm
Results and updates have stopped being posted on the NZ website. Anyone know whats going on
http://worldsprints.wakaama.co.nz/index.php/en/headlines/9-5-1/.
Cheers Rambo
[size=40]UPDATE![/size] Full results now posted
#7 Sun, 03/26/2006 - 11:04am
The preparation for the world sprint started three months ago with the selections for NZ.
Our long distance race season will start in 2 weeks. The big teams let a few of their best elements go to the world sprints at the condition of being ready for that big race.
Our main event is the Hawaiikinui race in october witch is 3 days long distance race.
And during the world sprint, their was no school holidays.
...In Tahiti and islands, paddling is part of our culture and is our first national sport. It should be the reason why we lead the world sprints.
#8 Tue, 03/28/2006 - 5:42pm
And Tahitians do lead the world sprints. Although NZ did put out on their home turf this year. But (anonymous tahitian) made a good point that Tahitians aim to compete in Hawaiki Nui and world sprints. And (juspaddle) Hawaiians prep for the Molokai. But we can't honestly be focusing on that for the whole year?? It's only March now and Molokai isn't until October. So I see where this Tahitian is coming from.
So with that said, the races are somewhat scheduled so that all the "elite paddlers" from each country or team can come and compete in the prestiges races throughout the year. So to say that Hawaiians are molokai racers and tahitians, sprint racers??
#9 Wed, 03/29/2006 - 8:53am
There are so many important races around the world throughout the year, that it is impossible to peak for all of them. Most of the top paddlers pick and choose races to peak for. (as the Tahitians do)
I think alot of the "elite paddlers" from hawaii are gearing up for the Molokai races in may. April also has alot of prestigious in Hawaii that people are perparing for. Its such a close time frame and theres a big difference in training when peaking for sprints and peaking to cross the channel.
As it stands the Hawaiians did extermely well in most of the races. It just so happened that when it came to the finals they didnt have that last little bit of speed the Tahitians and New Zealanders had. At that level of competition it takes alot of specialized training to win a race by just a little bit. If you look at some of the finishes, they were extremely close. And not just 1st and 2nd. All the placings.
My personal feeling is since the Tahitians and New Zealanders were peaking for a sprint race, they had the edge. Im sure they put in the time and effort on the water and deserve to do that well.
#10 Wed, 03/29/2006 - 5:46pm
New Zealand used to pick the best club teams from our national sprint regatta to compete at the worlds. At Hilo we sent over one of our biggest contingents ever and came away with only a handful of medals.
After that, the selection process was reviewed and now we have sprint trials to choose top individual paddlers and then they form squads and hold regular training camps
So instead of teams that consist of the best of one club, we now have teams that are the best of all clubs. The initial squad selections and traning camps started more then a year before the worlds.
The new selection process seems to have paid off.
Local turf and local canoes also gave us an edge this time around.
#11 Thu, 03/30/2006 - 12:13pm