2nd at L'Argentiere ICF World Ranking Race
Standing on the podium after the ICF World Ranking Race in L'Argentiere-la bessee, France
Silver at L'Argentiere-la bessee
2010-05-24 07:13:35
I was second this weekend at the World Ranking race in La Argentiere-la bessee after finally putting together two runs I was happy with. For the first time this season, I felt good on the water, like I was focused, on target, like things were clicking. Its hard to put into words, but you know it when it is there.
The weekend got off to a rough start. I flipped on my first run in qualifications, and was off the pace on my second run. Everything felt like work, I felt tired, as though perhaps I had trained too much in the week preceding the race. I sat in 18th after qualifications. Day two, I awoke feeling better, more rested, and ready to race. After the semi-final, I was in 7th place, with the fastest raw time of the morning. I had one touch, and an extra one the French judges tacked on (for fun, I guess). But I was still in.
After a long wait for 2nd runs- nearly 5 hours- I was finally able to race for the final. I felt good, race it out, and improved on my first run time. It felt good to paddle well. Unfortunately, the judges gave me a touch on gate 16, which I know, and numerous witnesses can attest to, I negotiated in the center of the gate and perfectly cleanly. It mattered little, however, as I would have been second without the touch (plus the protest would have cost 75 Euros). So I let it stand. Anyway, I was second, I was happy, and that's all I wanted.
