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Parson qualifies 6th for U.S. Slalom
By U.S. Canoe/Kayak // Luke Dieker // August 3, 2006
On the first day of qualification runs at the 2006 ICF Slalom World Championships in Prague, Czech Republic, Scott Parsons (Bethesda, Md.) led the way for the United States, finishing sixth. Parsons had two exceptional runs on Thursday, easily assuring himself a spot in the semi-final.
Parsons’ teammate Brett Heyl (Bethesda, Md.) was not far behind, finishing tenth despite a minor error in his second run.
In qualification, the athletes paddled two runs down the course, with the total time plus penalties deciding their rank. The top 40 boats in the K-1 class advanced to the semi-finals on Saturday. After the qualification runs the top 40 boats are seeded backward with the fastest paddler going last in the semi-final. The times of the semi-final and final runs are added together to produce the final result.
Jim Wade, the third kayak on the US team, had a tougher day today on the slalom course. He was ranked 51st after his first run and knew he had to push hard to make the top 40 on his second run. He paddled exceptionally well through the top of the course, but pushed in too hard toward a gate in the middle, catching an edge and flipping his kayak. He was able to right the boat and finish the run but not until he had missed two gates and incurred costly 50 second penalties. Wade finished 86th and failed to qualify for the semi-final.
Friday will consist of qualification runs for the men’s canoes and women’s kayaks. The US is fielding a full team in both classes. Benn Fraker (Peachtree City, Ga.) leads the way in the men’s canoe class at the young age of seventeen. He is coming off a top-five finish at the Junior World Championships and is eager to make his mark at this event. Joining Fraker in the class are Marietta natives Austin Crane (Marietta, Ga.) and Jeff Larimer (Marietta, Ga.), both of whom have a wealth of experience in international competition.
For Zuzana Vanha (Boulder, Colo.), top female kayak on the US team this year, the race in Prague has a special appeal. Vanha was born in the Czech Republic and immigrated to the United States as a child. This year marks her first appearance on the US national team.
“I’m very excited to be racing my first World Championships here in Prague,” said Vanha. “I’ve worked really hard for it, and now all that’s left is to put it together into a couple of good runs.”
Also paddling in the women’s kayaks are Jamie Tidmore (Bryson City, N.C.) and Molly Stock (Potomac, Md.), who is also making her first appearance at the World Championships.
The men’s kayaks will also paddle again on Friday in team competition, where the three US athletes will paddle the course together, weaving through the gates in a pattern designed to allow all the boats to navigate the course with the greatest efficiency. It is truly a fun element of slalom to watch.
Men’s Kayak Qualification Results:
1. Campbell Walsh (GBR), 206.95
2. Daniele Molmenti (ITA), 207.03
3. Grzegorz Polaczyk (POL), 209.14
6. Scott Parsons (USA), 210.79
10. Brett Heyl (USA), 213.76
86. Jim Wade (USA), 335.32
Racing Friday in Prague:
Women’s Kayak:
Zuzana Vanha (Dillsboro, N.C.)
Jamie Tidmore (Bryson City, N.C.)
Molly Stock (Potomac, Md.)
Men’s Canoe:
Benn Fraker (Peachtree City, Ga.)
Jeff Larimer (Marietta, Ga.)
Austin Crane (Marietta, Ga.)
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