A large international field with 194 competitors from 19 countries raised the excitement around the course and only the best will make it through to the finals.

This is one of the closest races to the world championships with most top internationals, world and Olympic champions racing. Most of the internationals have come from all around the world in search of a warm training venue and the 2000 Olympic course provides that!

The conveyor belt ride from the bottom of the course to the top allows for excellent aerobic training with minimal rest and maximal time on the white water.

New Zealand sent a large team with both senior and junior teams attending with the juniors racing for international race experience and the senior team looking for top 10 results.

The kiwis arrived here in drips throughout the week and had been preparing well for the race. Unfortunately the hard luck story went to Andrew Robinson who was unable to race as he is in hospital with an illness. 6 out of the 15 kiwis have qualified for the semi finals. Louise Jull and Luuka Jones finished up best of the kiwi ladies and will race with Shaun Travers tomorrow in the semi finals.

The K1 mens had a disappointing day with Aaron Osborne the sole kiwi kayak qualifying for the semi finals. Aaron and the C2 crews will have to wait till Sunday to have their shot at qualifying for the top 10.

Top Juniors Callum Gibb and Jane Nicholas just missed out on qualifying for the semi finals and will now start to prepare their Junior Worlds later this year.
K1 Mens Top 40 qualify for semi finals
Aaron Osborne 34th
Callum Gibb 49th
Mike Dawson 50th
Malcom Gibson 64th
Carl Whitehead 69th out of 86

C2 Mens top 20 qualify for semi finals
Ben Gibb/Bradyn Church 16th
Bryden Nicholas/Shaun Higgens 17th out of 20

K1 Ladies Top 30 qualify for semi finals
Louise Jull 21st
Luuka Jones 26th
Jane Nicholas 32nd
Nikki Whitehead 33rd
Ella Nicholas 34th
Kelly Travers 43rd out of 46

C1 Mens Top 30 qualify for semi finals
Shaun Travers 26th
Haven Bellemy 32nd out of 38