2011 European Campaign Begins

Mike paddling the Val Chuisella in the Long Race

I have now been in Europe for 10 days. Arrived in Prague after the long 34 hours of flights from Auckland/Bangkok/Frankfurt/Prague. Had a few hassles in Auckland with overweight bags due to Mikes added items. All sorted with no extra costs due to skillful negotiating.

Picked Mike and Martina the next day and headed south to northern Italy arriving 4.00am after the 9 hour drive. Slept in the car, a first for me in 35+ years. Spent 4 days in Ivria with Mike competing at the Teva Extreme Outdoor Games. A great event with competitions in the long race, sprints and slalom for both individuals and teams. Mike and the NZ team taking out the overall first and second places respectively.

Mike first place in Teva Extreme Outdoor Games in Ivria Italy with Sam Sutton second and Michele Ramazza (ITA) third .

Start of the Extreme Slalom Teams Event. The Kiwis went on to take second place overall.

The Ivrea Slalom Course right in the middle of the beautiful historic Northern Italian town of Ivrea.

The floodlit Ivrea Slalom Course for the team's sprint event.

The shuttle service for the boats and paddlers at Val Chuisella back to the top of the long course.

Have now headed through the pass to the French Alps and Bourge St Maurice for a kayak world ranking race this coming weekend.