Whitewater slalom

Canoe Slalom is a competitive discipline of canoeing. The aim is to navigate a set of gates in fast-flowing water in a very short time without error.

Regulate

A route consists of a between 250 and 400 m long section, which should have a minimum depth of 40 cm and a flow rate of at least 2 m / sec ( = 7.2 km / h). 18-25 goals will be distributed via the route according to the current regulation, which are to pass through according to their numbering. Most gates are down doors marked green and white. These are to be traversed in the direction of flow. However, at least 6 goals must be made up gates that are marked in red and white and to traverse upstream. The Torstäbe have to at least 20cm hanging over the water surface.

The athlete has to wear during the race an approved buoyancy aid and a licensed, tightened head protection.

A match consists of two runs ( runs ), the total time of a run is derived from the total driving time plus any time penalties. For the determination of the overall results to 2008, the results of the two runs were added; since 2009 only comes the better running in the standings.

For a Torstabberührung 2 penalty seconds for an omission or false driving ( direction or order) of a gate are 50 seconds time penalty imposed. If the driver tip over, ie to the boat around the keel up, and then drive on to score, and 50 penalty seconds are counted. Run with a time of 999.99 is the driver must leave the boat counted sec.

Boats

In the canoe slalom three boat classes are run:

The kayak is sitting down and controlled by a double-bladed paddle. Canadian driver's knees in their boat and control it with a single bladed paddle. The boats are sealed by spraying ceilings, which prevent water ingress.

Meanwhile, in all boat classes for men and women races are held. Chance competitions in twos Canadian mixed be performed ( to 1981 as WM- discipline, up to now in the DM program).

Competitions

In addition to the individual competitions, there are the team race. A team consists of three boats of the same class of boat, the same cycle all the way. The driving time is measured from the start of the first to the finish of the last boat. The penalty seconds of each boat will be added to the total time.

To enhance the attractiveness found in major events such as World Cups and Championships only a qualification with two runs instead. It is followed by a semi-final with the fastest 20 riders, which consists of only one run. The 10 fastest driver of the semi-finals take the final ( 1 run).

Competition venues

Canoe Slalom was originally operated on natural waters, but the trend is towards artificial white- water systems more and more. The most important routes in Germany are Augsburg ice track and Canoeing Park Markham.

History

The development of folding kayaks and its production on a large scale made ​​possible the spread of kayaking on fast flowing waters in southern Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The late 1920s, early 1930s experienced driving with the Folding a boom. In this time the birth of the canoe slalom falls.

The first race, which can be considered as a forerunner of the canoe slalom, was held on the Hallwilersee in Switzerland. The track in the form of an irregular star was marked with buoys. On October 8, 1932 was the first race on a river at the weir Rupperswiler place on the river Aare. Regardless of the Swiss pioneers of canoe slalom of the Austrian Willi Raven had the same idea and organized with friends on 29 April 1934 on the Traisen a slalom for Faltbooteiner and two kayaks as well. 1935, the first German slalom was conducted in Zwickau. Finally, the slalom in 1936 was as a discipline by the International Representatives shaft Canoeing ( IRK ), the predecessor organization of the International Canoe Federation ( ICF), recognized. The Second World War meant that until 1949 in Geneva World Championships could be carried out. These were initially held in a two -year cycle.

Until then, in addition to folding kayaks Canadians were used of wood. From 1955, were first Canadians is also used kayaks made ​​of plastic. 1963, the final competitions for Folding was carried out at the world championships, which were then completely replaced by boats made ​​of plastic.

Canoe slalom in 1972 olympics and again since 1992 in the Olympic program. Today the world championships held annually except instead of in the year of the Olympic Games.