After an incredible close race, throughout all the European Championships in Eiskanal in Augsburg we got some incredible new results. In K1 Daniele Molmenti (ITA) holds the title in front of local riders Paul Boeckelmann and Hanes Aigner, with Vavra Hradilek in 4^th and Peter Kauzer in 6^th place. Another sandiEquipe member Sideris Tasiadis (GER) took the title for Germany in C1, in front of Tony Estanguet (FRA) and Benjamin Savšek (SLO), but what a race. The paddlers from 2^nd to 7^th place were crowded in one second split. Even narrower margin of 1 houndred splitted Carole Bouzidi (FRA) and Melanie Pfeifer (GER), with Fiona Pennie (GBR) following them 6 houndreds behind. In C2  sandiEquipe took the top of the podium again with Jaroslav Volf and Ondrej Stepanek (CZE) in front of Hochschorner Pavol and Peter (SVK) and Behling Robert and Becker Tomas (GER). C1W was dominated by local Mira Louen in front of Mallory Franklin (GBR) and Michaela Grimm (GER).

The European Champions in team trials are Germany in C1W, Slovakia in C1M, France in K1M, Germany in K1W and Great Britain in C2.

Isaac Lewinson & Eric Deguil owned Green River Narrows Race 2011. While Isaac took the long boat event with Andrew Holcombe and Eric Deguil behind, Eric styled and took the time back in short boat with a win in front of Isaac and Pat Keller. To make the day even longer, Eric raced also in open canoe, finishing second.

A short video of the race from Pilot Collective Media is on Youtube...

Sam Sutton took the second title at the Adidas Sickline extreme kayak world championships in Oetz. Kiwis are charging it hard, sandiLiner Mike Dawson took the second place while Paul Boeckelmann finished third.

It was a great performance in the sunny Tirol and a great day for Sandiline, with 7 sandiLiners out of 15 finalists. Vavra finished 4^th, Eric 5^th, Isaac 7^th, Dejan 11^th, Severin 12^th and Filippo 15^th. Thanks for a great team success!

Slalom World Championships in Bratislava started with cancellation of the first day of qualifications due to the strong winds, but the great sunny days from Friday to Sunday made a great late summer weekend of spectacular white water slalom racing. The throne of the best kayak athlete stays in sandiEquipe with Peter Kauzer (SLO), taking the title back. With a perfectly controlled run he finished on the top of the podium, in front of Mateusz Polaczyk (POL) and Fabiene Lefevre (FRA). Just behind the top three, on the fourth position we have another sandiEquipe member, last year’s World Champion Daniele Molmenti (ITA).

We will remember the Bratislava Worlds also by a great achivement of Fabiene Lefevre and Denis Gargaud Chanut (FRA), that gained combined 5 medals. They finished second in C2, just behind the Hochschorners and in front of Škantars (both SVK) and finished first in C2 team event, Denis became a World Champion in C1, Fabien took another silver in K1 team event. Great achivement and a straight shot of what they want to do next year at the Olympics.

In K1W it’s a second year of being the best for Corinna Kuhnle (AUT). With a gap of more than three seconds she took the top of the podium in front of local Jana Dukatova (SVK) and Maialen Chourraut (ESP). The ladies really fly in K1 - it was less than a second between Dukatova and Kaliska, that finished seventh.

In C1W it was Hoskova (SVK), that took the title after a big mistake of the fastest C1W Jessica Fox (AUS), nevertheless Aussies showed their supremacy in the team event.

A banner in the training channel, stating “A ticket to London,” was the first indicator of what the races can bring. And we can congratulate Peter Kauzer, Hochschorners and Mike Dawson of already claiming theirs! See you there!

World cup finals in Prague brought a big success to sandiEquipe. The podium of K1 category was invaded by Vavra, Daniele and Pero, at the ladies Elena conquered the top of the podium. In C1 David took the third place.

"It was a great race, Vavra took the maximum out of it, Daniele just 8 hundreds behind him, I took the third place, that got me overall world cup win - it just had to be one of the most thrilling races to watch," said Peter Kauzer after the race. Indeed it was! The Troja slalom course in Prague is nicely flowing and gives just enough of the white water that with a good course it can make a spectacular race for the audience. With a perfect timing and control of the boat you are able to squeeze some extra speed that give you a great advantage, as sandiLiners Taljat/Božič showed in C2.

Incredible final race for the smallest possible advantage for Peter Kauzer in the K1 overall classification, winning just a point ahead of Vavrinec Hradilek. In K1W Jana Dukatova won, with sandiLiner Corinna Kuhnle taking the third place overall. In C1 sandiEquipe member David Florence took 10^th place overall with just two strong results in four races. In C2 the Hochschorner brothers took a strong overall win with a massive 30 points gap.

Last week of July was a big test for a new kayak channel - the Olympic course in Lee Valley, where the Olympic white water slalom event will held place next year. And it was a positive vibe - fresh look of the water, demanding, but not furious white water, was quickly adopted by everybody.

A demanding Markkleeberg Slalom Curse was the home of 3^rd Slalom World Cup race in 2011. The artificial channel was completely different style of water than last weekend in France and a difficult gates did not allowing any rest to the athletes. Huge number of penalties to all the competitors was a proof how hard a race can be.

Nevertheless, we can say that all the rides of the winners seemed a children play, though it was obvious that 5.5 meters of drop Markkleberg Slalom Course was a big challenge to anybody. In C1 category Michal Martikan (SVK) showed how the race should be run. A two seconds penalty put his all time rival Tony Estanguet (FRA) to the third place, behind the first of the finishers Jan Benzien of the home nation. But the course was just too demanding for C1W. Jessica Fox (AUS) won in front of Caroline Loir (FRA) and Rosalyn Lawrence (AUS), but the fourth placed Leanne Guinea was more than 60 seconds behind the winner. In K1M it was first and second for France with Pierre Bourliaud and Boris Neveu in front of Dariusz Popiela (POL). SandiEquipe members Daniele Molmenti and Vavrinec Hradilek finished fifth and ninth in the finals.

Sunday's finals showed the calm character of Jana Dukatova (SVK) to win the women's event in front of fastest girl on the course sandiLiner Corinna Kuhnle (AUS) but with a cost of four penalty seconds that put her on the second place. Thrid was Maialen Chourraut (ESP). In C2 it was the the easy flow for Hochschorners (SVK), a fantastic run put them also with a two seconds penalty in front of Peschiere/Labarelle (FRA) and Szczepanski/Pochwala (POL).

After the four weeks break, the World Cup will end in Prague in August. See you there!

Second World Cup Slalom race of 2011 season was in beautiful surrounding of th mountain tops in France. The only natural course of 2011 season with it's specific character mixed the best just a bit. On such a different river than last week in Tacen, the best showed their skills.

In K1 Peter Kauzer (SLO) won the first place even with a 2 seconds penalt in front of Samuel Hernanz (ESP) and young Lubos Hilgert (CZE). The tricky course, that was spread over the whole width of the river was a big challenge to everybody, we saw quite some 50 penalty seconds mistakes in all the finals, nevertheless it was great to see the best of the best.

In K1W Jana Dukatova (SVK) took the first place in front of Maialen Chourraut (ESP) and Katerino Kudejovo (CZE).

In C1W Aussies Jessica Fox, Rosalyn Lawrence and Leanne Guinea took the podium.

In C1M category Matej Benuš (SVK) won in front of Ander Elosegi (ESP) and Stanislav Ježek (CZE).

C2 category finally brought a delight of gold to the home nation with Klauss/Peche (FRA) in front of sandiLiners Taljat/Božič (SLO) and Biso/Picco (FRA). And our congratulations goes also to the first time finalists in C2, Hočevar/Kralj.

Keep on the good work!

It's almost like Christmas! A perfect two days of World Cup Slalom racing in Tacen (SLO) at Sloka 2011. And none less than perfect result. It doesn't happen often that you get a hand full of aces, but that's just what happened.

First from the set was sandiEquipe member David Florence (GBR) to get the gold in C1M in front of Stanislav Ježek (CZE) and Alexander Slafkovsky (SVK), with another sandiEquipe member Sideris Tasiadis (GER) keeping him company in the finals on the 8th position.

In K1M sandiEquipe member Peter Kauzer (SLO) won in front of his teammate Jure Meglič and Sebastian Schubert (GER) on third. Of course we have to mention at least the following - sandiLiner Campbell Walsh (GBR) on fourth, sandiEquipe member Vavrinec Hradilek (CZE) on fifth and a cheerful finals for sandiLiner Mike Dawson (NZL), finding the fast Slalom lines after all the successes in creeking.

On Sunday sandiLiner Melanie Pfeife (GER) got us the third gold in front of Dana Mann (SVK) and another sandiLiner Urša Kragelj (SLO) on the podium in K1W, while in C2 the Hoschschorner (SVK) brothers didn't allow any surprise with taking a huge gap of 2.69 seconds in front of Biso/Picco (FRA) and Škantar/Škantar (SVK).

Congratulations and a lot of success in France!

Opening to Tacen slalom world cup 2011 was prepared in the center of Ljubljana with a fast head to head slalom race and a big crowd cheering to the competitors. The battles were almost epic, as the best whitewater athletes showed their skills to the public that gathered on the banks in the old city center.

K1 women category was dominated by sandiLiner Corinna Kuhnle (AUT), winning in the finals to Kate Lawrence (AUS). C1 and C2 categories were cleared by the French over Slovenians in the finals, with double Picco/Bisso being in front of Božič/Taljat and Martin Thomas winning over Benjamin Savšek. But the biggest was left for the end. Vavra and Pero made a shoulder to shoulder final runs, with new sandiequipe member Peter Kauzer finishing both times just slightly in front of another sandiEquipe member Vavrinec Hradilek. A lot of luck to everybody at Sloka!

Last weekend was busy also for sprinters. ICF Wildwater Canoeing Sprint World Championships 2011 was happening in Eiskanal in Augsburg (GER). Slovenian Nejc Žnidaršič became the only person to drop below 1:35 and took the title of World sprint champion 2011 in K1. In C1 and K1W France took the tiltes with Guillaume Alzingre and Laetitia Parage, while C2 brought the title to home nation with double Baumann/Walter.

In the team events Croatia won the title in C1 over France and Germany, in K1W Germany won over France and Czech republic, in K1M those nations switched places with Czech republic taking the podium over France and Germany, while in C2 Slovakia took the gold, France silver and Grmany bronze.

That's it! The World Champion added the European title - Daniele Molmenti won the first big race of the season. It was tough throught the kickout rounds in the K1, each of the heats counted as a separate race until the finals, where Daniele nailed it to perfection.

A day before, sandiLiner Claudia Bär won the European crown in K1W, followed by the perfectionst Jana Dukatova. In C1 Tony Estanguet didn't allow the surprise, as well as the Hochschorner brothers in C2.

Team races brought the golden shine to Slovenia in K1M, Czech republic in C2 and K1W and France in C1.

Teva Mountain Games 2011 are through, but  in what a way... The domination of sandiLiners at the Games, where at women's Freestyle event Emily Jackson showed that there's noone equal to her, finishing on the top of the podium with a massive 530 point, that is 230 point in front of the second placed competitor, Ruth Ebens.

But it was the men's events, that gave us even more pleasure. Mike Dawson shared the top of the podium at Steep Creek Championship with Honza Lasko, finnished second in the Down River Sprint and won the Men's 8 Ball Kayak Event!

We're looking further for the new races of the season, going strong in Europe with Teva Extreme Outdoor Games in Italy.

By: Mef

Alex Besseau from a winter Freestyle session in Pau

If there is no time, or if there is some other reason not to go to warm places, you can still have a nice whitewater training session in cold Europe. Remember, there is no such thing as bad weather - it's the gear that makes it possible. Alex Besseau in Pau - Check it out!

by: Mef

Campbell Walsh and Corinna Kuhnle took the victories at ICF slalom in Australia

The final part of preparations on the new season of Slalom World Cup racing is the annual Australian Open. Almost all the best canoeists of the world are there due to fantastic training conditions.

There are no big surprises in the new season, but with a delight we can congratulate to our sandiLiners that showed their wish for the podium. Our athlets of K1 Campbell Walsh, Peter Kauzer and Danielle Molmenti took 1st, 3rd and 5th place, in C2 Volf/Stepanek took 3rd place, in K1W Corinna Kuhnle outmasterd others with 2 seconds penalty for more than 2 seconds, while David Florence in C1 finished just below the podium on forth place.

Wish you all a great season!

Links:

ausopen.canoe.org.au

By: Mef

Marcel Bloder arrived back from Uganda with plenty of Freestyling on the Nile

Nile is the place to be for an European freestyler during the icy winter months in Europe. Marcel Bloder spent some great training time in Uganda and shared his experience with us in our What's Up section. Check it out!

By: Mef

Great water levels in France and lots of nice riding...

There's a new story in our What's Up section - Great autumn freeriding in France.

by: Mef

Green River Narrows Race 2010 was owned by sandiLiners Mike and Isaac

Mike Dawson

It’s all about the title. No prize money, just fame. “The race was awesome!” told us sandiLiner Mike Dawson. His sweet lines made him 2010 Green Ironman - he won long boat race and finished second in short boat race by only second after another sandiLiner Isaac Levinson, who finished second in the long boat event.

Results long boat:

1st Mike Dawson

2nd Isaac Levinson

3rd Chris Gragtmans

Results short boat:

1st Isaac Levinson

2nd Mike Dawson

3rd Jason Beakes

by: mef

Video from Adidas sickline extreme kayak world championships is now available online.

The 26 min TV sports highlight show of the 2010 adidas Sickline Extreme Kayak World Championship is now available! Click away: Freecaster.tv

By: Mef

Sam Sutton wins adidasSickline World Kayak Extreme Championships

Sam Sutton

After a day of qualification races and Kick out finals, new winner of adidasSickline World Kayak Extreme Championships is Sam Sutton (NZL), in front of Michele Ramazza (ITA) and Lukas Kalkbrenner (GER). Dejan Kralj sandiEquipe finished fifth.

It was the last fall of the Wellerbruecke that was the key to this years event and after a horrible miss last year, Sam made a perfect shot through the hole and surfed to the finish. The shot of the hole blew out the chances for the medal position of Dejan Kralj, which had a clear run to that point.

Nevertheless, the even was great, see you next year!

Dejan Kralj	Severin Häberling	Vavra Hradilec

by: dp

Ötztal Valley (AUT), 30.9.-3.10. 2010

Just a few days separates us from one of the last peaks of the 2010 - The adidas Sickline Extreme Kayak World Championship in Austria’s Ötztal Valley. More than 100 worlds best whitewater kayakers from 22 countries will race for the 2010 world champion belt, among them 11 of "our" kayakers. SandiLiners & sandiEquipe members are always close to the top, so let's hope for a win this year! Beeing the official gear supplier of the adidas sickline team we will also cheer for them.

Good luck to all!

sandiLiners & sandiEquipe members attending the worlds:

by: Mef

All the medals have their owners - they shine brightly around the necks of our athletes

Daniele Molmenti	Jana Dukatova	Spectators

Sunday's program was long and exciting, first C1W in the World Championships, C1M and strong category of K1M. And the result are delightful:

C1W:

1. Jana Dukatova (SVK)

2. Leanne Guinea (AUS)

3. Jessica Fox (AUS)

C1M:

1. Tony Estanguet (FRA)

2. Michal Martikan (SVK)

3. Jordi Domenjo (ESP)

K1M:

1. Daniele Molmenti (ITA) - sandiEquipe

2. Vavrinec Hradilek (CZE) - sandiEquipe

3. Jure Meglič (SLO) - sandiLiner

TEAM:

3×C1M:

1. Slovakia

2. Germany

3. Czech

3×K1M:

1. Germany

2. France

3. Italy

By: Mef

C2 and K1W categories are under the roof in 2010 Sloka World Championships in Tacen

Corinna Kuhnle	Hochschorner/Hochschorner

Nice sunny Saturday was after the change of program, the first medal day in 2010 World Championships in Tacen. C2 and K1W categories, single and team event are through and we have first 2010 medal holders. For Sandiline there are:

K1W:

1. Corinna Kuhnle (AUT) - sandiLiner

2. Jana Dukatova (SVK)

3. Violeta Oblinger-Peters (AUT)

4. Jennifer Bongardt (GER) - sandiEquipe

C2M:

1. Hochschorner/Hochschorner (SVK)

2. Gargaud Chanut/Lefevre (FRA)

3. Florence/Hunslow (GBR) - sandiEquipe

TEAM:

3×K1W:

1. Czech

2. Germany

3. Slovenia

3×C2M:

1. France

2. Czech

3. Germany

By: dp

Canoe slalom wold championships 2010 in Ljubljana, Slovenia starts today!

The most important canoe slalom event of the year starts today with the qualifications. For four days Ljubljana will be the center of the canoe world. Being this our home worlds this is also the most important event of the year for sandiline.

Once again lots of world's best canoeist will use our gear, but this time the wider Slovenian public will be able to see what a small Slovenian company means in the kayak world.

Here is the championship program.

by: Mef

Make a perfect run, become one of the immortals...

Volf/Stepanek (photo by Nina Jelenc)	K1 podium (photo by Nina Jelenc)	K1W podium (photo by Nina Jelenc)	C1 podium (photo by Nina Jelenc)

Race course in Čunovo, Bratislava (SVK) is one of the most demanding courses in the Slalom kayak racing. Big waves, fast current and the demanding Niagara at the end of the course require perfect skills and clear head. And we can say it was a breathtaking race. Only those, who could take their focus all through the course, could come to the Niagara within medal time. The drop you can’t find equal in the world and the demanding last three gates were a puzzle to many, but the best took those three gates perfectly!

It was a joy to watch the first three in K1 - sandiLiners Peter Kauzer and Jure Meglič (both SLO) and third Vavrinec Hradilek (sandiEquipe, CZE) as much as the medal winners of all the other categories K1W: golden Jana Dukatova (SVK) and sandiLiners silver Corinna Kuhnle (AUT) and bronse Urša Kragelj (SLO). In C1 it was all Slovakian party - unstoppable Michal Martikan, follewed by his teammates Matej Benuš and Alexander Slafkovsky. In C2 sandiEquipe members Volf/Stepanek (CZE) showed with second place that they are the ones you have to watch in the World’s in Tacen. Victory went to Slovakian double Škantar/Škantar and on third place another sandiEquipe member David Florence with his C2 partner Richard Hunslow (GBR).

We’re happy, we can help them enjoy the race!

By: Mef

European Junior&U23 Championships was a great intro to next weekend’s senior championships

In just a couple of weeks time we’ll see the best European whitewater slalom racers in three great events. Junior and U23 European Championships on a beautiful new whitewater stadium in Markkleeberg was a great intro, that will be followed by European Senior Championships next weekend in Bratislava and World Championships in Tacen in beginning of September.

The young guns showed we can count on them in the future. Eva Terčelj (SLO) won 3rd place and gave the title of the best European junior to Clara Giai Pron (ITA). Third place in U23 K1W was also the place for sandiliner Corinna Kuhnle (AUT). Sideris Tasiadis (GER) a sandiEquipe member finished 4th.

By: dp

What about a two months, 1500 km trip with a seakayak?

SandiLiner Marin Medak (SLO) is relatively new to the kayaking world, he started paddling last year when he took some paddling lessons & than went on a month long seakayak "vacation" paddling most of the Croatian coastline (Lošinj-Dubrovink & back up to Zadar).

This year he decided to break the time record paddling some 550 km from Savurdia to Dubrovnik in only 7 days. This means more or less 13 hours of paddling per day. Finished this "race" he plans to take it easy & paddle all the way to the Greek island of Zakinthos - some 1500km from the starting point.

Marin started paddling yesterday & is progressing really fast. You can check his progression & read his blog (in Slovenian) here.

By: Mef

After the final world cup race in Augsburg we have the final standings and they do look good

photo by Nina Jelenc

Daniele Molmenti (sandiEquipe) let the others to take a small part of the glory with finishing 5th in the final kayak slalom world cup race in Augsburg (GER). As we're somehow used to, the first three places went to German racers, this year it was Aigner on the top of the podium, with Grimm (sandilLiner) and Boeckelmann following. Just below the podium Kauzer and Molmenti took their places. C1W was the only category where a non native took the win - Cen Nanqin (CHN). In all other categories the first place was reserved for Germany - Nico Bettge (C1), Schroeder/Henze (C2) and Jennifer Bongardt (sandiEquipe, K1W) did their job perfectly.

After the last of the world cup races, we're more than pleased with the look at the final results. Overall victory in K1M for Daniele Molmenti, with Vavrinec Hradilec on the 3rd place and Peter Kauzer on 4th and in K1W 2nd place for Corinna Kuhnle and 3rd for Elena Kaliska.

By: Mef

After the second weekend of world cup racing in slalom and wildwater the best don't leave anything for the rest

After winning European championships crown last year, Daniele Molmenti (sandiEquipe) seems to be unstoppable in the world cup slalom racing this season. Taking the second win in the row in La Seu d'Urgell, we're just waiting for next weekend to see victory number 3. Michael Kurt (SUI) took second place and sandiLiner Peter Kauzer was third. Jaroslav Volf & Ondrej Stepanek (sandiEquipe) took second place in C2, same like Elena Kaliska (sandiEquipe) did in K1W.

Vatellina (ITA) was the place of races number 3 and 4 in wildwater racing. sandiLiner Nejc Žnidarčič took second place in Saturday's classic event and after Sunday's massive win with 4 seconds lead it's fact, that he took the overall win in WW world cup.

Busy weekends & many great results for sandiLiners

Same as the previous, this weekend was also full of events:

At ICF Canoe slalom world cup in Prague sandiEquipe member Daniele Molmenti (ITA) won the K1 ahead of Luboš Hilgert (CZE) & Michael Kurt (SUI). SandiLiner Jasmin Schornberg (GER) won the W K1.

Trnovo (Soča Valley, SLO) hosted the ICF wildwater world cup. The Slovenian (sponsored by sandiline) team took advantage of the home course & won 4 gold medals: Sašo Taljat & Luka Božič won the gold in C2 sprint & classic, while the K1 was dominated by Nejc Žnidarčič who also won the sprint & classic event.

At the European Freestlye championships in Lienz (AUT) adidas sickline team member Peter Csonka won the K1 event & sandiLiner Alexandre Besseau finished 6th in the C1.

Next updates & more great results will be on-line very soon for there are many first class events upcoming.

by: dp

Great result at the TevaExtremeOutdoor games (Ivrea, ITA) & Wild Water canoeing world championships (Sort, ESP)

SandiLiners dominated the 2010 TevaExtremeOutdoor games held in Ivrea, Italy. Beside fabulous result in the single disciplines they took the win also overall win. Here are the results:

Overall:

1 .Mike Dawson (NZL) - sandiLiner

2. Fabian Doerfler (GER) - adidas sickline

3. Dejan Kralj (SLO) - sandiEquipe

Long distance:

1. Mike Dawson (NZL) - sandiLiner

2. Isaac Levinson (USA) - sandiLiner

3. Eric Deguil (FRA) - sandiLiner

King of the Falls:

1. Mike Dawson (NZL) - sandiLiner

2. Dejan Kralj (SLO) - sandiEquipe

3. Honza Lasko (CZE)

Boater X:

1. Eric Deguil (FRA) - sandiLiner

2. Fabian Doerfler (GER) - adidas sickline

3. Daniel Herzig (AUT)

Slalom:

1. Dejan Kralj (SLO) - sandiEquipe

2. Jhoann Roozenburg (NZL)

3. Thilo Schmitt (GER)

Sprint race:

1 .Mike Dawson (NZL) - sandiLiner

2. Fabian Doerfler (GER) - adidas sickline

3. Thilo Schmitt (GER)

The other important event of the past week was held in Sort, Spain where the best wild water canoeists competed for 2010 world titles. The Slovenian national team sponsored by sandiline took 6 medals. The C2 team Sašo Taljat & Luka Božič became 2 times world champions winning the classic & the sprint event. Nejc Žnidarčič (K1) finished 2nd in the sprint & 3rd classic race, Jošt Zakrajšek took the bronze medal in the C1 discipline & The K1 team (Nejc Žnidarčič, Jernej Korenjak in Lovro Leban) finished third in the team sprint.

By: Mef

A strong pre-world championship event was also the last draw for Slovenian national team

No wonder why there was almost 300 competitors registered at ICF slalom race this weekend, it's a venue of the 2010 kayak slalom world championships. But although most of world's best kayakers were there, nature was a step ahead with just a bit more than enough water and the start of the race was moved below the famous Tacen ramp.

A famous victory was won by Italian Daniele Molmenti (sandiEquipe) in front of Etienne Daille and Benjamin Reina (both FRA) in men K1, in women K1 Violetta Oblinger-Peters (AUT) took the the first place, Corinna Kuhnle and Marie Rihoškova (both sandiTribe) ended 8th and 9th in the finals. C2 category ended with a strong 6 seconds lead of Picco/Biso (FRA) in front of Hradilek/Senhal (CZE) and Klauss/Peche (FRA) double. In C1 Benjamin Savšek (SLO) won in front of 2008 world champion Tony Estanguet (FRA) and Blaž Cof (SLO).

Tacen 2010 ICF race was also the last of the qualification races for Slovenian team. "It was really hard qualifications," told us Dejan Kralj (sandiEquipe), "but I'm very satisfied I'm in the team in K1 and C2 with Simon Hočevar. I can't wait until the start of the World Cup." His team members are:

K1: Peter Kauzer, Jure Meglič and Janoš Peterlin

C2: Božič/Taljat, Slapšak/Jarc

C1: Benjamin Savšek, Anže Berčič, Simon hočevar, Jure Lenarčič and DejanStevanovič

K1W: Urša Kragelj, Nina Mozetič and Eva Terčelj

By: dp

First official canoe sprint World Cup medal in sandiline gear

At their second canoe sprint World Cup appearance the Slovenian K2 crew Lovro Leban & Rok Kuk won the bronze medal on the 1000m distance. The result came as a surprise to many also because Lovro & Rok are just beginning their team career on flat water - Lovro is also Slovenian U23 canoe slalom national & the current World champion in whitewater kayak sprint!

This medal was historic also for what concerns sandiline. We have just entered the canoe sprint world & this was the first official big event medal in our gear!

We hope there will be many more!

By: Mef

Sandiline competitors in British, German and Czech slalom for 2010

Spring time brought us some warm weather, some rain, some nice water levels and team selections for 2010 season, with a very nice result for Sandiline paddlers.

In Nottingham, Campbell Walsh (K1) and David Florence (C1, C2) confirmed their places in British slalom team.

After the races in Augsburg we received the news from our German competitors - Jasmin Schornberg & Jenny Bongrardt (K1W), Sideris Tasiadis (C1) are in the team, while Claudia Bär will dedicate some quality news from creeking in 2010.

Czech team members are Vávra Hradilec & Ivan Pišvejc (K1), Wolf/Stepanek (C2) and Marie Rihoskova (K1W).

We're looking forward with satisfaction as the other national teams are still in the races for their team member places.

By: Mef

Hochschorners, Dukatova, Savšek, Conlong and Kauzer are the winners of the first European ICF ranking slalom race of 2010 season in Solkan

Kralj/Hočevar (foto by Nina Jelenc)	Peter Kauzer (foto by Nina Jelenc)

The first European ICF ranking slalom race of the season 2010 was held in Solkan on 10th an 11th April. Due to windy conditions the course was just a bit more demanding but the best showed their skills and supremacy. It was also the first international race for the new C2 couple Dejan Kralj - Simon Hočevar, finishing the race on 6th place.

Results:

C2:

1 Hochschorner/Hochschorner

2 Božič/Taljat

3 Slapšak Jarc

K1W:

1 Dukatova

2 Mozetič

3 Kragelj

C1M:

1 Savšek

2 Cof

3 Rozmus

K1M

1 Kauzer

2 Kurt

3 Peterlin

C1W

1 Conlong

By: dp

Two reports from Kiwi adventures in the What's up! section

Dejan Kralj & Ciaran Heurteau posted two stories from their New Zealand expeditions. One of the adventures had a Hollywood ending. Want to know which one?

By: Mef

Daniele and Corinna at the top of podium at Oceania Open Contintental Championships 2010

photo: Daniele Molmenti, photo by Enrico Simonetti

Winter in Europe, nice warm weather Down Under and a traditional beginning of Slalom Whitewater Kayak season in Penrith are the usual start of racing for many of the best kayakers of the globe. For many of world class kayaker it's still the time to polish their whitewater skills, but nevertheless - at the race it's all about going to the edge.

Corinna Kuhnle (sandiTribe) showed her supremacy in the women's finals, being second and a half better than second placed Katerina Kudejkova, not mentioning the four penalty seconds še gave away through the course. In the men's kayak it was a duel to the finish line between sandiEquipe members Daniele Molmenti and Vavra Hradilec.

It seems men's racing is going to be laser sharp this season. Everybody is trying to find perfection and it seems there won't be any place for mistakes. There was only on touch in the finals between 10 K1 men, that means 1 touch of 180 gates passed. It's going to be a hot season!

Dejan Kralj (sandiEquipe) tested his strength in a different way. Getting beaten by a venomous spider he found out it's necessary to check the equipment thoroughly before putting it on.

Good luck in season 2010 to everybody!

Links:

oceania.canoe.org.au