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Whitewater KayakingThe world-class Wingfield Whitewater Park on the Truckee River in Reno, Nev. hosted two major whitewater kayaking events in April and May this year using CTS timing equipment. Top college kayakers competed in the first-ever Collegiate National Championships in whitewater kayaking April 21-22, 2006. Then, May 12-14, the best pro whitewater kayakers in the world competed in the annual Reno River Festival. Both events included freestyle and boatercross competition. Freestyle Kayaking CompetitionThe goal in freestyle kayaking competition is to put on a creative exhibition of tricks in the featured wave or hole in 60 seconds. A panel of judges (typically three) scores the athlete on successfully executed tricks. Points are given for style, as well as length of time the paddler remains in the featured rapid and number and complexity of tricks performed. Tricks can only be scored once, which encourages the athlete to provide a variety of tricks to score the highest total. "The CTS RT-5 was used in the freestyle event to show the athletes and spectators the 60-second (countdown) time for each ride," said Jim Litchfield. His company, FLUID, produced both events. He continued, "The nine-inch numbers were easily seen from across the river by the spectators and the athletes while competing. The integrated horn was blown with 15 seconds remaining to let the athlete know where they were in the 60 seconds." Boatercross Competition"Boatercross is similar to the Olympic sport of snowboarder cross," Litchfield explained. "An individual time trial is held in the preliminary round to seed the fastest and slower boaters into 4-boater heats. Elimination heats are held on the same course with simply the top two fastest boats advancing in each heat. Elimination continues to a final heat with final placement determining podium order. "In the boatercross the RT-5 was used in what we call a sailboat or floating start. The four boats in a heat were told to establish themselves in the water at the start of a 45-second countdown. At 10 seconds the horn blew twice and once at zero. The boaters positioned themselves to whatever they thought was the best strategy to start. Crossing the line early resulted in automatic disqualification." To see more, including event videos, visit www.thecollegiatenationals.com and www.renoriverfestival.com. "The RT-5 worked wonderfully," Litchfield said. "It added an element of professionalism and legitimacy to both events." |
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