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Australia has been awarded the 2009 Wildwater World Cup series
 Dan Hall - World Cup silver medallist For only the second time in history the World Cup series will be held in the Southern Hemisphere The Wildwater World Cup consists of 6 races: • 3 Classic Wildwater Races and • 3 Rapid Sprint Races. Both Classic and Rapid Sprint Wildwater races are individual “time trials” where paddlers, setting off at 1 minute intervals, compete against the clock down sections of river that include difficult rapids. Classic Wildwater Races are longer races up to 30 minutes, with only one run per paddler. Rapid Sprint Races are 400-800m in length and the combined total of two timed runs determines a paddlers overall result. Competitors using specially designed kayaks and canoes to negotiate the natural features of the river: rapids, rocks, tight corners and waves, to find the fastest route down. Strong mental and technical skills are required and top wildwater racers are amongst the fittest athletes on earth. The first Wildwater World Cup was held in 1991, although Wildwater World Championships have been held since 1959. World Championships are held every two years, with the World Cup in the alternate years. The 1999 Wildwater World Cup was held in New Zealand. This was the first World Cup to be held outside Europe. Tasmania 2009 will only be the second time is has been held in the Southern Hemisphere. Paddlers from 26 nations competed at the 2007 World Championships. Dan Hall, of Hobart, won the silver medal in the World Cup Rapid Sprint final in Italy in June, 2007. Hosting the world cup will bring direct economic benefits to Tasmania with over 100 competitors (and possibly as many as 200) plus supporters coming to the state and staying for at least 20 nights. It is anticipated that international competitors will also visit Tasmania during summer 2008/9 to train, and that having seen Tasmania, European paddlers may make the state an off-season training venue for their Northern Hemisphere winters. |
