PanAm Qualification - Remote Update

An exciting first day of racing down in Brazil! Most of us had to watch our computers from North America intently to get the whole story. Pretty cool to have a live video feed, though results didn't seem to work on my mac. I had to rely on twitter, facebook and texts to get the details, so if there's any mistakes my appologies. Follow on Twitter @cartwrightc1 @jessicagroeneveld @MikeHolroyd for the story as it breaks.

Qualifications saw everyone jockeying for position in this weekend's semi-finals. In C2 the Canadian Cutts brothers were the top PanAmerica crew with Innisfail's Purcell brother's in 5th. Less than 2/10ths separated the Canadian and Americans so things should be tight tomorrow.

Innisfail's Thomas and Daniel Purcell

In K1W the Canadian girls placed 2, 3, 4 with Thea Froelich and equally tight .3 behind the Brazillian. Innisfail's Jessica Groeneveld had a rough day, having picked up a stomach bug and will be looking to get healthy and have a better day tomorrow.  

Ottawa's Thea Froelich

In C1, Cam Smedley finished 3rd behind two storming Americans.

In K1M, Alberta's Paul Manning-Hunter placed second, with a mystery touch, to Pepe the young Brazilian kayak. John Hastings was close behind. The canadians additionally have lots of experience to draw on with multiple time World medalist David Ford in the hunt as well.

Paul Manning-Hunter at the bottom of the course

The cagey veterans that make up our Canadian team, know that qualifications mean little by the end of the weekend and that the real racing starts tomorrow. Olympic spots are up for grabs in C2 and K1W Saturday, while the K1M and C1M race Sunday.

 In C1W Calgary's Haley Daniels placed second behind the Brazillian. She'll be looking for victory on Sunday though C1W doesn't have Olympic berths on the line, as it has yet to become an Olympic discipline.

Calgary's Haley Daniels

More Results: http://canoekayak.ca/english/content/slalom_olympicqualifier
The schedule can be found here: http://jessicagroeneveld.blogspot.com/2012/03/pan-american-championships.html
This link works for some people for results: http://www.123result.com/Live.aspx?EventId=195&User=siwidata&Season=CS_2012
The live video feed is found here: http://www.cbca.org.br/newcbca/evento/index/eventos_id/389

Go Canada!