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Jessica's Kayak Slalom Photo Album |
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“Dobre den!” “Good day” was one of the phrases I learned in Czech Republic where 2008 Junior World Championships was held. This event is where the six other qualified Junior National team members and I would represent the United States in competition. The U.S. Junior Team members flew from our respective parts of the country into Munich, Germany and made the drive into the Czech Republic. Thankfully our boats and paddles made the flight without any damage. We drove straight to the course in a little town north of Prague called Roudice nad Labem.
Upon first examination of the course, I thought that it appeared easy and straightforward. I was slightly mistaken. The channel, being artificial, created whitewater features that were a little funky. While the top and bottom sections of the course were |
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2008 Jr Worlds Championship July 25, 2008 Roudice nad Labem, Czech Republic
This was my final race representing my country as a Junior. I finished 14th in the world — not bad for someone who lives in California — not exactly the slalom capital of the U.S.!
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straightforward, I was having difficulties during practice in the middle section which featured an enormous hole followed by a steep drop. However, with the aid of my three coaches, Rafal Smolen, Aaron Mann, and Ursa, I became much more familiar with the features of the Lebe River.
The competition was comprised of three race days:
Day 1: Qualifiers for Men’s canoe and Women’s Kayak Day 2: Qualifiers for Men’s Tandem Canoe and Men’s Kayak Day 3: Semifinals and Finals for all who qualified
Friday July 25th was my first day of racing. Top 40 women of 62 qualified for semi-finals. From what I learned in Junior Worlds 2006, I had a good shot at qualifying for semi-finals. I kept this in mind for my two runs. All I wanted was a solid run in where I made all the moves well. I was in 20th place by the end of the day which qualified me. On Sunday morning I had the jitters like crazy. I really wanted to make finals but that meant that I had to be on my game to make top 10. I calmed down before the start, and had a spectacular run aside from the 3 penalty points which added 6 seconds to my time. It felt very strong and precise; I knew I gave it my all. I always promised myself throughout my racing career that if I crossed the finish line and felt good about my run, then I would be satisfied no matter the results.
I placed 14th in semi-finals and was 2.5 seconds away from making finals. No worries, I was content that I had a great race and an amazing experience. I loved the atmosphere of an international race! Each country’s contingent of athletes and spectators were extremely patriotic. Every time a racer came down the course, their teammates would run parallel to them on the sidelines, yelling at them with noise makers and flags, “Go go go!’ Or ‘up up up!’ Or ‘Ale ale ale!” Germany, Poland, and of course Czech Republic would go especially crazy when their racer came down the course. It was quite the rush. It is also a tradition to have uniform swaps. I traded with an Italian girl my USA team shirt. I met so many other people from foreign countries and made good friends with kids from Germany, France, China, New Zealand, Serbia, Czech Republic, Botswana, and Sweden. It was an event I will never forget.
I know I have come far in my racing career and have many experiences under my belt at a young age. I am fully aware that I would not have been able to accomplish what I have if it wasn’t for the support that I have gotten along the way. Thank you everyone for all that you have done. I can not express the eternal gratitude that I feel. I will forever remember the warm hearts that helped me along my journey.
Thank you for everything!
Jessica
Here is the link for the results: http://www.kkroudnice.cz/wysiwyg/userfiles/file/VF_K1WO.pdf
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Racing through red upstream gates, I paddled my best on race day. I missed making finals by 2.5 seconds! Thanks to the GCP for their support as well as my coaches Tom Schiller, Rafal Smolen, and Aaron Mann for inspiring me to do my best! |
