ThePADDLER 54
After I got disqualified in my first World Cup as a member of the USA Team , I wrote my own set of rules based on 30 years of ‘ best practices ’ from races that I have organized or competed in . We have seen all of the issues the ICF was seeing before . The wheel didn ’ t need reinventing , just best practices employed . I put those rules on my Facebook page , and the ICF approached me at the next World Cup to discuss those rules with them and ask for help . It was critical that the ICF had the sport Olympic ready by 2023 at the latest . I was very impressed that an organization led by Jean Michel Prono , a 40-year veteran coach and organizer , was open to outside council . It was great to see and gave me confidence in the future of slalom overall . My suggestions were not crazy but focused on : 1 . Course design to assure safety ( don ’ t put upstreams at the bottom of the biggest drops where high-speed impacts will break faces , ribs , etc .).
2 . Allow full contact for passing without disqualifying athletes .
3 . All races head to head so that every athlete who comes to race from around the world gets a chance to race head to head , versus a ‘ time trial ’, which eliminated most of the field in a single slalom race in plastic boats ( another buzz kill ).
4 . Starting ramp needs a gate to eliminate false starts . This was a real issue , especially as starters would sometimes say “ Go ” if they saw somebody moving to prevent a false start , which gives the false starter the advantage .
THE FUTURE Extreme slalom will ramp up quickly over the next two years . Coaches and Federations are just now realizing that a medal in extreme slalom is worth as much as a medal in traditional slalom . They will focus on recruiting slalom racers to race in extreme slalom first , as they are best equipped to do well . ( Fast , familiar with the courses , and used to racing ). However , the traditional kayaking , creek racing , freestyle , and recreational paddlers will also start entering . The Dane Jackson ’ s of the world , who are fast , and incredible competitors , can step in as equals to the best slalom racers , as long as head to head is the format .