Blue Lakes Regatta 2

We have been back in New Zealand for two months and training has been intensive and consistant.
Rishan competed at the CRNZ Blue Lakes Regatta 2 and showed some very positive progress. The weather was fantastic and water conditions were the same. There was some very talented paddlers in the woman's U19 event which proved to be extremely competitive for the top 3 places.
Rishan progressed to the A finals in the 200m and 500m K1 events. She placed 3rd in her 200m final behind Kayla Imrie and Aimee Fisher. In her 500m final Rishan placed 4th behind Julie Sweetman from the North Shore Club.

Rishan after her 200m final.

A very positive weekend had by all and we look forward to the CRNZ Champs in February 2011.

Savona International Regatta

On the 26th September we took Rishan to Savona to compete in the 31st Trofeo Presidente della Republica. The regatta is held annually in the Port of Savona alongside a very impressive "Costa Cruise ship". This is an international regatta for cadets to masters. There were competitors from Hungary, France and a strong representation from Italy.
Rishan competed in the 200m WK1 open and junior categories. After some intense heats Rishan progressed to both A finals. Placing 3rd in the junior final and 5th place respectively in the open final.
We finished off the day with Rishan receiving a trophy for the representation of Samoa.

All smiles for Rishan after her races

Bronze Medal for Rishan

Canottieri Sanremo

Rishan has been training with the Junior Canottieri Sanremo team. There club has a gym, large selection of club and personal boats, lots of kayakers of all ages, coaches and rowers. She is enjoying the training sessions and is getting use to training in a busy port. They are really passionate about kayaking here and they have all been really kind to her. Rishan doesn't speak Italian and the guys don't speak English. When we are all kayaking there is no problem communicating.

Marco, Lucca and Rishan

Rishan, Robi and the junior squad

Malta, Nice, Monte Carlo and Sanremo

Arenella Beach in Sanremo.

Rishan was very fortunate to experience some of my most special places in the world. Her coach Robi comes from Sanremo, Italy. It's a small coastal town on the Italian Riviera. Sanremo is close to Monte Carlo and the closest airport is in Nice, France. We took Rishan to Monte Carlo and Nice for the day.
My sister Eve lives on a small island in the Mediterranean called Malta. Malta has beautiful crystal clear water beaches and a fantastic climate all year round. We spent a week there eating, sun bathing and watching films.

Final day in Poznan

Today the sun was shining and the 200m sprint races were a spectators dream. Rishan had a good heat and she was happy with her effort. We are sad to be leaving Poznan and our new friends but we are excited to go to Italy for a month of training. Before leaving for Italy we managed to do some sightseeing around the beautiful town Poznan.

Town square in Poznan

The famous goat clock tower