2015 ICF World Championships Slalom
 
1
2
3
K1M
CZ J. PRSKAVEC
PL M. POLACZYK
US M. SMOLEN
K1W
CZ K. KUDEJOVA
DE R. FUNK
DE M. PFEIFER
C1M
GB D. FLORENCE
SI B. SAVSEK
GB R. WESTLEY
C1W
AU J. FOX
CZ K. HOSKOVA
ES N. VILARRUBLA
C2
DE ANTON/BENZIEN
FR PICCO/BISO
FR KLAUSS/PECHE

Rafting

The U23 World Rafting Champs from Brazil to defend their title in New Zealand

rafting brazil youth u23 irf interview world champion sportscene

Nada | International Rafting Federation - The team will be at the 2013 WRC [World Rafting Championship] to defend their title, which they earned in 2011. The U23 Brazilian men; Angelo Eduardo Degrandi (Captain,) Gabriel Pessa (front-right,) Leandro Cavalcante (front-left,) Fernando Morassutti (middle-left,) Joao Luiz Rodrigues Junior-Stern (middle-right,) Jorge Nave (back-left,) Jonatan de Brito (middle-right,) with coach Joao Paulo Costa Paris, will do their best to take it home again.

The Brazilian Open Men’s team has achieved great success on the world stage, and the U23 team is following them. However, the competition this year will be very strong. In addition to the Czech Republic and England, New Zealand, who are hosting the championships and have the advantage of playing at home, also want to demonstrate their capabilities and take the title for their country.

From 2009 to 2012 the team’s name was “BROTAS BOZO.” For various reasons the team’s name has changed to “Alaya Competition.” From the beginning one of the biggest problems for them has been a lack of sponsorship.

The major title that they have won so far was at the 2011 R6 World Rafting Champs in Turrialba, Costa Rica, where they were crowned World Champions in their age category. Other titles these young guys have won are:

  • Alaya titles Competition
  • R6 Champions, Brazilian Nationals, Foz do Iguaçu, 2009
  • R4 10th place, World Youth Championships, Netherlands, 2010
  • R6 1st place, Brazilian Extreme MG, 2010
  • R4 5th place, European Championships, Wildalpen - Austria, 2011
  • R6 1st place, Brazilian Championships, Foz do Iguaçu, 2011
  • R6 World Youth Champions, Costa Rica, 2011
  • 3rd place, Euro Cup, Wildalpen – Austria, 2011
  • R6 4th place, Euro Cup, Bratislava - Slovakia, 2012
  • R4, Brazilian Championships, Juquitiba – SP, 2012
  • R6, tetracampeões Brazilian, Delicioso – SP, 2012
  • R4, Bicampeões Brazilian, Socorro – SP, 2013

rafting brazil youth u23 irf interview world champion sportsceneWe interviewed John, the team’s middle-right paddler:
“All athletes has been dedicated entirely to rafting, to defend the title they won in 2011″

How is your team preparing for the competition and on which rivers are you preparing?
“Since the beginning of the year, the team has been dedicated entirely to training for the world championship. We are training daily, participating in some competitions to see the level of the team, going in search of experience to prepare for the championship in November”

With this team, it is very obvious they are totally dedicated to defending their title. Is there a discipline that you are particularly good at?
“We enjoy the Head 2 Head, but we are training for all of them.”

Which team do you see as the biggest competitor?
"Since the first World Championship, the Brazilian team’s main rivals are Czech Republic, Russia and Italy, but every year all teams arrive stronger and thus make the championship increasingly competitive."

Is there anything you would particularly like to see or experience in New Zealand?
“All our athletes are very eager to try the bungee jump. It must be amazing, hopefully we will also see some tourist sights.”

Will you be able to stay after competition?
“We are doing whatever possible so we can see the Open competition, but nothing certain yet. It would be an honour to watch the best teams in the world in the Open category.”

The R4 WRC is in your country next year, can you tell me what kind of course it will be on and how technically difficult it is?
“The next year will be a very special year for all Brasilian athletes who love rafting as being hosts to the World Championship is very special.

The artificial course is very technical and the water flows very quickly. The downhill event has very strong waves with many rapids and technical sections."

It sounds great. It will be a wonderful event on a great river, with a lot of samba!
"Music is very variable in Brasil, but as everyone knows samba prevails! Everyone will gather in Foz do Iguacu next year, and we are waiting with open arms for all teams to come see our country.”

Do you have sponsors you’d like to thank?
"Yes, thanks to Alaya expeditions, Academy Active Gym, Nutrition Supplements Food Idea, TCP (Posture Corrective Training)."

It’s never easy to defend your title, but these guys are determined and focused. We wish them good strokes and a good time in New Zealand.

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