Australia to Host the 2009 Wildwater World Cup Series.

Sam Lyons, Wednesday, 14 May 2008

The International Canoe Federation Board has confirmed that Australia has been awarded the running of all 6 Wildwater World Cup races, in Tasmania, in October/November 2009.

The World Cup races, comprising 3 x Classic and 3 x Sprint races, will form a World Cup series, to be run by Canoe Tasmania on Tasmanian rivers, ranging from the Mersey to Bradys lakes and Cataract Gorge

Each federation can field 6 boats in each of the 4 race categories - Men's K1, Women's K1, Men's C2 and Men's C1. Over recent seasons, Australia has sent World Cup and World Championships teams comprising Men's K1 and Women's K1 paddlers only. There are significant opportunities for Australian paddlers to seek selection in all disciplines, but particularly in Men's C2 and C1 and Women's K1 where there are not currently the full complement of 6 competitive Australian boats in each class.

The path to selection in the 2009 Australian World Cup Team is via the 2008 National Championships in Victoria this September, leading on to selection races at the 2009 National Championships in Tasmania in January 2009.

Current selection percentages are 110% for Men's K1, 120% for Women's K1, 120% for Men's C2 and 125% for Men's C1, though these will be reviewed later in the year, subject to Australian performances at the World Championships in Ivrea, Italy and World Cup races being held in the Czech Republic and Austria.

This is a great honor for Australia, being only the second time a Wildwater World Cup race has been held in the Southern Hemisphere. This is also a great opportunity for Australian athletes to compete on their local course without the huge logistical, time and financial imposts of competing in Europe.