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]]> http://www.olivermillar.com/jamad/simpleblog/index.php?entry=entry100905-133432 No Author Sun, 05 Sep 2010 13:34:32 GMT http://www.olivermillar.com/jamad/simpleblog/comments.php?y=10&m=09&entry=entry100905-133432 http://www.olivermillar.com/jamad/simpleblog/index.php?entry=entry100830-164952 http://www.olivermillar.com/jamad/simpleblog/index.php?entry=entry100830-164952 No Author Mon, 30 Aug 2010 16:49:52 GMT http://www.olivermillar.com/jamad/simpleblog/comments.php?y=10&m=08&entry=entry100830-164952 http://www.olivermillar.com/jamad/simpleblog/index.php?entry=entry100805-171020

This years National Championships took place on the beautiful Gull River in Minden Ontario. The site of a world cup in 1997, the river is fast, pushy and super challenging. That being said, the way we paddled the race this year during which we were trying super hard and fighting the water all the time is unfortunately for us the way not to paddle. During practice all week, we were calm and relaxed using the water well and then come race time it seems like we were overly anxious and excited and rushed everything.

Nevertheless, we came out in 3rd place behind our long time canadian c2 rivals the Purcell brothers who came 2nd and the relatively new team of Smedley/Hayward. Congratulations to both teams.

So on that note, its time for us to prepare for our second trip to Europe this year for the World Championships which take place in Tacen, Slovenia. We will be on site for around 2 1/2 weeks before we race so that should give us plenty of time to get used to the water.

cheers,

Jamie and Adam]]> http://www.olivermillar.com/jamad/simpleblog/index.php?entry=entry100805-171020 No Author Thu, 05 Aug 2010 17:10:20 GMT http://www.olivermillar.com/jamad/simpleblog/comments.php?y=10&m=08&entry=entry100805-171020 http://www.olivermillar.com/jamad/simpleblog/index.php?entry=entry100719-003601
After not having paddled at Valleyfield for a couple of years we arrived, checked out what we were up against, thought it over and raced. Not even a warm up on the water. Well we stepped up to the challenge and put down a fairly solid first run with one touch, albeit we had some mistakes, followed by a stellar second run, clean fast and we were moving the boat well the whole way down.

All in all, it was a good day. Now back to work, and our last couple of weeks of training before the Nationsl Championships.

cheers,

Adam and Jamie]]> http://www.olivermillar.com/jamad/simpleblog/index.php?entry=entry100719-003601 No Author Mon, 19 Jul 2010 00:36:01 GMT http://www.olivermillar.com/jamad/simpleblog/comments.php?y=10&m=07&entry=entry100719-003601 http://www.olivermillar.com/jamad/simpleblog/index.php?entry=entry100706-001607
After a first run that we would rather not remember, we managed to learn from our mistakes and put down a fairly solid second run. Unfortunately, we could not stay off the poles, taking 3 touches (6 added seconds) along with making some minor errors that once accumulated, cost us the 10 seconds or so that would have put us in the semi-finals. It just goes to show the importance of staying clean in these races.

Now that the tour is over, it's time to look back and reflect on things that we did well and things to improve. Throughout our trip in Europe, our training sessions went really well despite the lack of time we had on the courses compared to our European counterparts that have the courses available throughout the year. That being said, we also need to apply our knowledge and experience from training and past races come race day because as we have mentionned before, with these best run rules, everyone is capable of putting down at least one solid run. You really need to be at the top of your game in order to qualify for the semi-finals.


So its time to regroup, ramp up the training back home and prepare for the national championships which will be taking place in Minden, Ontario at the end of month.

So until then, keep it classy!

Jamie and Adam]]> http://www.olivermillar.com/jamad/simpleblog/index.php?entry=entry100706-001607 No Author Tue, 06 Jul 2010 00:16:07 GMT http://www.olivermillar.com/jamad/simpleblog/comments.php?y=10&m=07&entry=entry100706-001607 http://www.olivermillar.com/jamad/simpleblog/index.php?entry=entry100627-211101

Definitely a huge improvement in this second world cup of the summer in Seu d’Urgell, Spain. We unfortunately started our race off with a very sloppy 1st run during which we flipped while doing a move that we have been nailing all week. Our 2nd run was a different story. After a slight slip up on the first gate that cost us a second or two, we got right into the zone and had a GREAT run. We however lost concentration too early and touched the last gate of the course costing us a 2 second penalty. Without this touch and our slip-up on the first gate we would have made semi-finals (top 20). Instead we finished in 27th position. Although we didn’t make the semi-finals again, this race was a huge improvement over last race. A link to video of the second world cup will come soon!

The coming race in Augsburg, Germany should be a good one. It usually has the largest turn-out in terms of competitors so the racing will be tight. We are definitely looking to improve on our result from Spain, and look forward to our chance to do so!
]]> http://www.olivermillar.com/jamad/simpleblog/index.php?entry=entry100627-211101 No Author Sun, 27 Jun 2010 21:11:01 GMT http://www.olivermillar.com/jamad/simpleblog/comments.php?y=10&m=06&entry=entry100627-211101 http://www.olivermillar.com/jamad/simpleblog/index.php?entry=entry100621-121425

Our first world cup of the year has race has come and gone and we need to make a few adjustments to the way we race and train. The race last weekend in Prague, Czech Republic was a tight one with everybody putting down fast runs. With these new rules you can’t afford many mistakes. Unfortunately lost focus come race time and didn’t step it up. Although our lines were good, with 8 and 6 seconds in penalties on our first and second runs respectively, we didn’t give ourselves a chance to qualify for the semi-finals. So as we prepare for our second world cup race in Seu d’Urgell, we need to start training at a pace and in a mental state similar to in a race so that the switch from training to racing isn’t as drastic.

On a more positive note, teammate John Hastings paddled an incredible semi-finals and in went into the finals with the fastest time overall. After putting down another solid run in the finals, he finished off 7th. Congratulations to John for another great performance in Prague.

Video from the first world cup is posted on our video page! check it out!

Until next week,

Jamie and Adam
]]> http://www.olivermillar.com/jamad/simpleblog/index.php?entry=entry100621-121425 No Author Mon, 21 Jun 2010 12:14:25 GMT http://www.olivermillar.com/jamad/simpleblog/comments.php?y=10&m=06&entry=entry100621-121425 http://www.olivermillar.com/jamad/simpleblog/index.php?entry=entry100606-010316

It couldn’t have gone much better for us at this year’s National Team Trials. Winning 3 out of 4 races we are the only C2 to qualify in for the 2010 Canadian National Whitewater slalom team this year. Our team trials were held on Rutherford Creek, the first fully artificial whitewater course in Canada. The course is located approximately 25-30km North of Whistler just off of the 99 and is fully visible from the highway. Set against a backdrop of the Cascade Range Mountains, you couldn’t have asked for a better location. Although this course was not without controversy for its safety and the water availability just prior to the trials, it turned out great. We found the course to be fairly difficult but totally manageable and the success of trials is testament to all the volunteers involved, particularly Shonnet Allen, Shelley Beer, and the folks at Innergex power who made the course possible.

Paddling aside, our trip this year was a blast. Contrary to many of the places we stay for races in North America, Whistler was incredible. With the Olympics over, accommodation was cheap and our 8 person apartment located just minutes away from Whistler and Blackcomb Mountain was great. Although we didn’t get to try and skiing/snowboarding or mountain biking due to risk of injury prior to our race, the opportunity to walk around the town or go on hikes on our down time was fantastic.

Now that we’re back home, we need to prepare for our trip to Europe in 2 weeks for the World Cup circuit. These races will be taking place in Prague, Czech Republic, Seu d’Urgell, Spain, and Augsburg, Germany. We have already competed on all of these courses before and are looking forward to getting another crack at them! Check out our photos page for some race pics and our schedule page for our upcoming races.

cheers,

Jamie and Adam]]> http://www.olivermillar.com/jamad/simpleblog/index.php?entry=entry100606-010316 No Author Sun, 06 Jun 2010 01:03:16 GMT http://www.olivermillar.com/jamad/simpleblog/comments.php?y=10&m=06&entry=entry100606-010316 http://www.olivermillar.com/jamad/simpleblog/index.php?entry=entry100507-112109 http://www.olivermillar.com/jamad/simpleblog/index.php?entry=entry100507-112109 No Author Fri, 07 May 2010 17:21:09 GMT http://www.olivermillar.com/jamad/simpleblog/comments.php?y=10&m=05&entry=entry100507-112109 http://www.olivermillar.com/jamad/simpleblog/index.php?entry=entry100505-071947

Hey folks, no need to worry, we are not becoming US citizens and trying out for their national team, this race was just conveniently timed at being right before our qualifier. A chance to get back into racing form after the winters training.

After a solid 18 hour drive to Wisconsin, we trained on the semi-artificial course that is nestled in downtown Wausau for 5 days or so followed by 3 days of racing during which we did 6 runs. The trainin prior to the race went very well, we have definately not skipped a beat over the winter and it was good to see everything jiving well. The race wasn't quite so smooth. Our first day we put down two fairly solid runs with the exception of one move on the course that we didn't manage to nail down, thus tarnishing perfection. The second day, was to be honest, crap. To make up for it though, our third day we put down two smooth, fast runs with minimal penalties.

Despite questionable paddling on our part, we managed to come out on top on all three days of racing. Hats off to all of the American paddlers who went through 3 days of very stressful racing and congratulations to all of those who made the national team.

Next up for us: Whistler, for our National Team qualification

peace out

Jamie and Adam
]]> http://www.olivermillar.com/jamad/simpleblog/index.php?entry=entry100505-071947 No Author Wed, 05 May 2010 13:19:47 GMT http://www.olivermillar.com/jamad/simpleblog/comments.php?y=10&m=05&entry=entry100505-071947