Greetings from Jamie McEwan, and welcome to the new USWTAF website.
Although I've posted some old emails, this is the first newsletter brought to you directly from the website. Please be patient with the site's current imperfections. Though you may feel free to make suggestions--especially those suggestions that will not involve lots of new code.
The main alumni activities this summer were the two reunions. The first was held the evening before the Slalom Nationals, beside the new ASCI slalom course in McHenry, Maryland, not far from the Upper Yough. Over sixty were in the tent for a barbecue dinner. The second was held at Zoar Outdoor, the sponsor of the Wildwater Nationals, on August 25th. Go to the photos page for some snapshots of these events.
It was an encouraging summer for the US slalom team. Of particular note: Scott Parsons silver medal in the World Cup race in Tacen, Slovenia, and his bronze in the Olympic Test race on the Olympic course in China; Brett Heyl's 8th iand Benn Fraker's 7th in the same event. There were some solid results in C-2 and K-1W, as well. Another nation is rising, with a Chinese woman placing 3rd. Olympic Test Event Complete results and a video are available at: http://www.canoe2007.org.cn/en/slalom/index.html Please see below for a roundup from Cathy Hearn.
Also, farther below, a request from former Canadian, now Australian coach Mike Druce.
One thing I could still use a lot of help with: emails and addresses. You will find a listing of those alumni for whom I have contact information in the member directory. If you compare this list to the list on the original email newsletter, you will see that we're not even halfway to having a complete contact list. Please help by emailing me any info you may have about your fellow teammates. For the moment, use question@jamiemcewan.com.
Thanks! Happy fall,
Jamie McEwan
From Cathy Hearn:
The team is just back in the US from the Beijing Olympic Test Event. Some
photos and small updates can be found on my website: www.cathyhearn.com
Highlights included Scott Parsons' medal and Benn Fraker's win on the first
qualifying run for the C1s. US athletes have shown this year their ability
to perform well when the playing field is level-- Brazil in March, Beijing
in August. Both events were contested on courses where no nation had a
home-court advantage, with equal training opportunities available to all.
We're off to Brazil the first of September for the World Championships,
where we will have our first opportunity to earn boat spots for the Nation
for the 2008 Olympic Games.
We have an opportunity to return to Beijing in October for two weeks of
training on the 2008 Olympic Course, complete with any modifications which
may be made after the Test Event. We view this as an important technical
training opportunity and one which will help us to maintain the level
playing field (relative to the rest of the world) we started with at the
Test Event. Our biggest challenge on this front is finding funding for the
October camp, coming as it does on the heels of the 2007 International
Season and a depleted budget. Our athletes are enthusiastic, motivated by
not only the upcoming Olympic Games but also by the challenge of the complex
Beijing course.
From Mike Druce:
Hi Jamie
You may remember me as former paddler, Canadian Team Coach in Barcelona and
now coaching in Australia with Richard and Myriam Fox.
I am currently putting together a DVD for the ICF development program to
help spread more information about International Slalom, including a section
about the history of the sport. Bill Endicott gave me your email as a
possible source of some old video or film through your US Team Alumni group.
I would be really grateful if you could put the request out there to see
what we can unearth. I have currently got some great film of '49 in Geneva,
'57 Augsburg and Olympics in 72. Anything from the 60's and up to the 90's
would be welcome. I can deal with the conversions and digitising of the film
where necessary.
Thanks for your assistance with this.
All the best
Mike Druce
Canoe Slalom Coach
Qblue Solutions
8 Cope Place
Gerringong
NSW 2534
Australia
+61 410560799