Photos from Campbell Walshs Website and also here is the World Cup Website.

Yes it is on!!!  After a few days of yea its on na it to flooded the organising committee have confirmed that the World Cup will go ahead!  There is heaps of flooding going on over here, its kinda weird as today it was 36 degrees. Im told that there is heaps of rain in Czech Republic and this feeds into the Danube. This is the main river here and it backs up the slalom course, like the last photo. The first two are of what it should look like…

We were going to go to Prague or even Augsburg but they are both closed due to high water levels.  So tomorrow we will paddle on the course for the first time. Im rather looking forward to racing and just paddling in general as last few days I have been stuck on the flat, which could be a good thing to get over our driving…

It should be a more challenging World Cup also with 76 Men, 56 Woman, 54 C1 and 26 C2.

Check out my Sports Nutrition Section. Profits from sale go towards paying for my trip so spend up large..

Here are a few Photos of the crouds at Pau, More under photos and Video

Mean while we are still in Bratislavia not sure what is going on with World Cup 2.

We hit the road straight after Luuka had finished her semi final run. Im glad we did as it was a long enough day as it was. First we kicked off a 5hr or so drive to stop in a little town before Nice for some Dinner.  This was our final stop in 25hrs of travel. We were only stopped by the cops once for a fine for having the wrong papers or something, but it worked out sweet with only a little fine. We boosted straight to Bratislava to find out our World Cup #2 might be canceled! Its a bit of a not sure whats going on over here, there has been heaps of rain in Czech and the river Danube (think that right spelling) is cranking. So word on the street is that they are going to have a meeting tomorrow night to make the call. Im sure it will go ahead but will let you know.

My pics and video are ready to be uploaded but as I have had little sleep ill do it tomorrow when I have more free time..

More Photos Here…

Yes its that time of the year when everyone is get rather tense and the ‘race face appears’ However the kiwis have been doing what we do best-”chilling out”. Yesterday the juniors opted for the Biarritz when it was nice and sunny while the seniors went into Pau for a tiki tour. We saw some big churches, chateaus and had some coffee in a cool courtyard.

The seniors have also been busy wineing and dinning minus the wine, over that last few nights. We were invited to the juniors place 2 nights ago. They also have a kick ass place with a mean view of the Pau-Pyrenees.  (First Photo).

Our hosts where we are staying also invited us out/down stairs for dinner. It was a huge feast, a full on 4/5 course meal. We ate exotic fish and cheese-not chups but cheese, cheese wrapped in bacon in little toasties, more fish, more cheese and topped it of with a raspberry in mascaponi cheese desert. Mint!

Photos of our Dinner and our Accommodation

We have had boat control today and tomorrow we will have our last practice session on the river before the world cup kicks off on Saturday morning. The C1 ladies are off first, which should be rather challenging for those that take part.

Check out the Pau World Cup Site.

Here is a little bit about Pau,
The city of Pau and its metropolitan area have a great culture of sport, and have already proved their ability to organize top-level events: the Tour de France, The Davis Cup, the Handball World Cup, the Pau Formula Racing Grand Prix and famous horse races.

Thanks to the enthusiasm of the local clubs, the French Federation has been using Pau facilities as its National Canoeing Elite Poles for 15 years. A great deal of athletes have been training on site, and the outcome is stunning: 2 Olympic titles, 3 Olympics medals and 6 world-champion titles.

Today I chilled out at the course for a while. Thought it was a good time to take a few pictures.  There are a heap more photos too. I have got a flicker account and its linked with my website for easy updates so stay tuned for more pictures.

Everything is starting to come together here. They have brought in ready lawn and there a heaps of people running around cleaning stuff, putting banners up and generally helping set up for a mint race. The french are ledgends here, I was paddling down the bottom for a cruise and Fabian L was paddling past when a mob of school kids spotted him. It was like one child spotted him then the whole mob of excited 5yr olds were yelling and waving at him…

I have been catching a few rides in the bus/mikes van to the course. Its always an adventure with that car and mike driving… Ran a few lazy red lights to go with mikes little bump into a tree and fence yesterday.. Video will follow soon..

More photos under photos, found above and also a bit of video added for your enjoyment…..