World cup #1 recap

The first 2012 World cup took place on famous Rock island play hole. This hole is probably the most difficult one from all the world cup holes. For this competition we had only 2 day trainings with lot of people in the eddy. For only one training ride you had to wait more than 40 min. I mean in some way its nice you can talk a lot during the waiting, but on the other hand its seriously not comfortable specially when you get sour or stressed that you might flash out too soon before you will get some moves there.
I think i was struggling at the beginning a lot with my moves and definitely was not in good mood. The first day of competition was very hard, mens were starting as first and than woman category was next, so we stayed all day long on the sun. It made us really tired. I did the place 8 th and Nina came 4th after qualification. Unfortunately Nina started to be sick so she was not able to train anymore. Next days we went thru querter finals and semi finals. Fortunately I had really luck and manage it to finals from place 2. and Nina also from the same position. It was good feeling definitely but it wasn't over we still had finals to fight in. First was Nina she did good rides and end up on second place after well performing Emily Jackson. The men category was really strong. Ej end up on place 5. With really great rides, on the 4 th place was Adam ( CA) 3rd place Quin ( ESP) on the 2nd place with unbeliveble nice rides Dane Jackson ( USA ) and I finished on place 1. I was really luck I think it was really my day because all the kayakers were really great and each of us was good enough to win that event.
After the event was the ceremony with great party. Now we are at Pigeon river where the send World cup will take place soon.
See till next update and wish the luck for us at the next cups.
Peter

Pictures: James Bebbington and Tomas Andrassy

Pigeon river video update

Going big in the US

Two weeks in the USA. We, that means Peter and me and our Slovakian friend Tomo, came to USA at the beginning of the August to train for the World Cup in freestyle kayaking. There are three events which count into World Cup. First takes place in Tennessee on Rock Island, where we competed in 2006 at World Cup too. The second one is held in Tennessee on Pigeon River and the third one will be in NC in Nantahala Outdoor Center (NOC), where the next World Championships will take place. We flew to Atlanta where we picked up our rental car.

 We arrived to NOC in late evening and set the tents right at a parking place. We spent the next days with training in the hole and surfing on the internet. NOC is quite a nice place to spend some time and chill out.

After a few days we headed back to Atlanta. Our mission was to find a bigger and cheaper car as we rented at the airport. We wanted to pick up our two other friends from the airport so we needed a bigger car anyways. We managed to rent a Pick-Up truck, an awesome car which would be really cool to drive in Europe. Our next step was to get to Rock Island to get used to this playspot. Hole at Rock Island is a pretty tricky playspot but on the other hand it is fun to paddle it. We met up with Jackson's family and our team mate Nick Troutman. They invited us for a "typical" Tennessee meal. We had a great evening with awesome meal-pork and ribs with so much good things on it which I can't even describe :)

After a couple of days paddling at Rock Island we moved to Pigeon River. At first glance this playspot seems to be very easy to paddle but you really need to be in good shape. It's pretty exhausting. After three days of paddling we decided to head back to NOC. We really needed a day off! Peter got us some tasty meat. I think a good meal and a day off is the best receipt to gain new energy for next day :) So now I am enjoying my full belly while writing this article. Tomorrow we will be on the water again but till then I will just relax, read my book and enjoy the beaitiful nice nature around me. The first competition will be on the next weekend so wish us luck. I will keep you updated.
See you, Nina
Pictures: Tomas Andrassy