Loading ...August was a busy month for the MCRC starting off with Chris and Matthew leaving on the 9th for the ICF Training Camp which was held in Dunavarsány. Double training sessions in both morning and evening were the order of the day and with over a week to go for the World Championships, the boys had enough time to get used to the sweet water and their boats, putting on the finishing touches to their performances!
Coach Kata Pongrácz met up with the duo at the World Championships regatta course in Szeged, three days ahead of their first competition and helped the team with the final preparations for the races. Matthew was the first of the duo on the start line for Friday’s’ Senior Men K1 500M heat. Off to a good start Matthew was fighting for 6th position which would allow him to qualify for the semi-finals. Unfortunately this was not enough to keep Sri Lanka’s Levente Gannoruwa off his tail as Matthew was over taken in the last 150m sprint. Although disappointed with 7th place and a time of 2.14min, quite a bit off his personal best, he maintained a positive attitude in preparation for the K2 200m sprint the following day.
Saturday 20th saw Chris take to the water for the K1 200m Sprint. Understandably frustrated that the boat given was too small for him, Chris tried to make the most of an uncomfortable situation. He gave it his all from start to finish however this was not enough to secure a place in the semi finals and he placed 7th with 42.62, also quite off his best time.
The final race for the Maltese team was the K2 200M- only an hour or so after Chris’ previous K1 race. Team work and support boosted the duo’s morale as they set off on the water with their game plan in mind- to give it their all and push to the best of their ability. It seemed that they had put their disappointment behind them and were off to a good start however just before the 100m mark, disaster stuck! The team were already having problems as none of the boats they were given were the models requested however the K2 threw in it’s own curveball since it had a tendency to zigzag as the speed picked up. Feeling quite unstable as they neared the 100m mark, the frequency dropped as it was a case of paddle slower or swim. They placed 7th with a time of 42.605min. When on land, the team discussed their issues with Kata and it turned out that besides the already acknowledged boat problems, Chris’ seat had broken off the railings and could have added to his stability issues.
Despite their times not being what they had hoped for- and quite off from what they are capable off, the team used the experience as a lesson on what they did well, what could have been done better and how they could have improved their preparation for the event. Now it’s back to the drawing board to discuss the way forward with their coach and the Federation.
Whilst all this was going on in H
ungary, the club had two special visitors- Valentina and Valeria di Pasquale. The two young ladies spent the week training with our lads…and possibly showing them a thing or two 
Valeria placed 2nd in the “A Cadetti” for the 2000m during the Sicilian Regional Championships last July whilst Valentina placed 6th in the Ragazzi 1000m races also held during last July’s regional’s. If one race wasn’t enough, Valentina then placed 6th in the Junior races too! Both sisters are now training for the National Championships in Milano to be held between the 9th and 11th September. We wish them the best of luck!!
And if all th
at news isn’t enough to make your head spin, there’s more! Once again, Chris will be making local kayaking history as he is the first Maltese canoiest to represent Malta in the Pre Olympic Test event. Currently in London, Chris is preparing for his race- the 200m men’s K1 which is to take place on Saturday 3rd September. The races are being held on the same regatta course to be used during the Olympics- Eton, Dorney Regatta Course! He’s been given the same boat Ken Wallace used in the Worlds! His spirits remain high and although the level of competition is quite tough, he is determined to improve his performances! More news to come next week!
And last but by no means least, we’re sad to announce that our Hungarian friend and coach Kata Pongrácz has left for the U.K together with her partner Máté Magyari. Kata has been a great help at the club, organising children’s sessions in the summer of 2010, winter Skola Sport sessions as well as becoming the coach for the national team and numerous club members. Although we are sad their sojourn has come to an end, all of us at the MCRC wish her and Máté the best of luck and hope to see them on our shores soon…or perhaps we will be visiting for some interesting training camps 
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