Fellow nordic team mate, Cully Brown had an eventful paddling season in both slalom and wildwater this spring and summer. His first major competition was in April at the Western US wildwater team trials where he qualified for the Junior World Championships in Opava, Czech Republic. Then it was off to Wausau, Wisconsin for US Junior Slalom team trials shortly after the Iron horse weekend. At that event he place 6th qualifying him for pre world competition. He had to make a choice, so he decided to focus on wildwater and skip the pre world slalom races. To prepare for Wildwater worlds he trained with and receive coaching from Mike Freeburn and Andy Corra two local paddling legends. Later in June, Cully competed in the Senior national championships, winning the spring race and placing second overall to his national team coach, Doug Ritchy from the Seattle area.
More DR training throughout July and it was off to Europe. Arriving in Munich, Cully first trained in Ausburg and Paugue before heading to the world championships in Opava. Traveling with team mates and coaches in Europe was a great learning experience for Cully. The US team stay in a 15th century structure that had more recently been converted a dormitory for Czech college students. Sharing the dorm where athletes for all over the world made for a great first international experience. The race courses at worlds were relatively flat, lacking any steep drops or technical paddling which favored the bigger, stronger athletes.
Over all Cully's best finish was 40th place, best among the English speaking world but back from the Eastern and Western European men. The week of racing ended with a sweet party for the teams at a super old castle the looked like Hogwart. Awards, movies, food, drink and dancing into the night was served up to the everyones enjoyment. If you get a chance have Cully share some of his experiences and be sure to ask him about his new Czech friend, Zuzu.
No comments:
Post a Comment