NEWS
7.sept.2010
No no, I'm not getting fat!! Just getting very pregnant! 6 months already; a little boy is due at the start of December :-) Any changes to the paddling carreer? No, not at all. After a fantastic summer of traveling World Cups in freestyle and slalom and training hard in Canada, the doctor has now been putting strong restrictions on my dayly activities. For the next 3 months, the plan is to stay in shape without abusing. Easier said than done, but maybe worth it? Don't worry, I might be a little quiet in the next little while, but I'll be right on time for kiting season in January and top shape for paddling next summer ;-)
10.july.2010 - Slalom World Cups Tour
Right after the unfortunately cancelled WC in Plattling in freestyle, I had just a few days to switch gear and hit the road again with a totally different focus in mind. The World Cup Tour in slalom came to an end a little over a week ago. The series of 3 events in 3 European countries included 2 former Olympic sites and technically difficult water. Slalom is a new discipline for me; freestyle and creeking (on top of surf kayaking and rafting) being what I mainly did in the past years. Slalom is very demanding both technically and physically, and it would take many years for Olympic athletes to make it to where they are. The main reason for me being there was to train with other professional athlete and learn. The encouraging part was to see my progress throughout those 2 ½ weeks. Yet a lot more work needs to be done before results reward my effort.
Now off to Canada: hard training in slalom and freestyle continues…
25.april.2010 - Red Bull Ragnarok
For those who thought that Norway was done with winter season, well think again. I woke up to more fresh snow and still minus degrees. Yet I’m not out at the moment, but resting…
Red Bull Ragnarok, the hardest snow kiting race of the year, began in a full storm with winds reaching 20-30ms. I broke 2 kites on my way to the first flag; 1 crash with another kiter, and 1 serious wipe-out when I got caught up in a wind cast, thrown up in the air, landed violently on the ground again, then dragged through a million rocks in 80km/h, before 3 out of 4 lines finally broke. Head injury, 2 days in hospital scanning to find my brain and figure out why I hurt so badly. I need rest...
12.april.2010 - Corsica 2010
There is no better way to kick start the season than flying to Corsica to creek for Easter holidays. Warmer temperatures, lots of rivers to choose from, good food and good old friends, makes it an easy choice. Although water levels were a bit of a challenge this year, we did not complain of taking a day hiking through remarquable landscapes or sipping a beer at sunset on the beach, if we really needed to ;-) Life can be pretty dam good! All and all: 10 days of paddling, 50km of running shuttle, good tan –but face only and fully loaded of energy for the upcoming competition season. Bring it on!
20.mars.2010
Meanwhile in the kayaking world... check out this interview:
http://www.kayaksurf.net/ValerieBertrand.html
15.mars.2010
2 Gold and 1 silver at the Norwegian Championships in Kiting!!!
Here is a video rap-up:
http://www.vimeo.com/10213114
More info and article (in norwegian) : http://www.hallingdolen.no/sport/article144099.ece