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2008 Official Announcment NZOC
- [ Thursday, July 03, 2008 ]
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Click here for TV One news clip & interview with Luuka Click here for Xtra news item 
Luuka Jones, New Zealand's first female canoe/kayak Olympian In Augsburg this week for World Cup 3.Photo credit: J Dawson Media Release July 3 2008. First Canoe/Kayak-Slalom Woman Selected At just 19 years of age, Luuka Jones has become New Zealand ’s first woman to represent New Zealand at the Olympic Games in Canoe/Kayak- Slalom. Jones’ nomination was accepted by the New Zealand Olympic Committee after she qualified for the Games at a World Cup meet at Tacen in Slovenia on 29 June 2008. She has previously secured the International Canoe Federation’s Olympic spot for New Zealand at the Oceania Championships in Australia in March this year. Originally from Tauranga, Jones is now based in Nottingham (UK), the home of the United Kingdom ’s slalom team where she is able to train and compete with some of the world’s most experienced slalom racers. New Zealand Olympic selector, Barry Maister, is delighted at Jones’ selection. “Luuka’s selection is exciting – Canoe/Kayak-Slalom is a thrilling sport and she’s a trailblazer for us. She’s a strong long-term prospect.” Jones also has her sights set on the future. “For me, the sky is the limit,” she said. “I’ve always made a total effort, even when the odds seemed entirely against me. I never quit trying. I never felt that I didn’t have a chance to win.” - Ends - For more information contact: Ashley Abbott Communications Manager New Zealand Olympic Committee (09) 375 0040 021 552 021
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2008 Junior Worlds
- [ Wednesday, July 02, 2008 ]
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2008 BOP Times article Junior team
- [ Wednesday, July 02, 2008 ]
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2008 World Cup Tacen
- [ Monday, June 30, 2008 ]
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Luuka Jones lays down a solid performance to finish her second world cup race in 28th position with 131.05 +2 and more importantly with a 15th nation placing. This satisfies the selection criteria for her inclusion in the NZ Olympic team for Beijing and Luuka Jones should become New Zealand's first female canoe slalom Olympian. However her final selection in the NZ team rests with the NZOC, who will need to confirm with the I.C.F, New Zealand's acceptance of the K1W Olympic spot. Full race results CLICK HERE
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2008 World Cup Two Tacen
- [ Sunday, June 29, 2008 ]
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Luuka Jones is through to the semis on Sunday at World Cup Two in Tacen, keeping her in contention for her top 16 nation spot, necessary to keep her chances alive for Beijing. According to ICF rules if 46 have entered a class then 40 will make it through to semis and this was the case for the K1 women in Tacen today. Luuka finished in 35th so will race tommorrow in the semis. James Dawson was not so lucky. With a solid performance in both his runs he finished 34th in the qualifications, however his field narrows to 30 for the semis meaning he just misses a semi final spot and his second World Cup race for the year is over. The other kiwis competing in Tacen were Louise Jull, who had an unfortunate 50 second penalty ending her semi final chances, while the C2 crew of Bryden Nicholas and Andrew Robinson got closer to the pace but again had too many touches. For full race results and semis start lists CLICK HERE World Cup Race 3 is in Augsberg, Germany next weekend.
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2008 World Cup 2 Tacen
- [ Saturday, June 28, 2008 ]
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While James Dawson and Luuka Jones race at Tacen for their final chance at competing at Beijing , NZ paddler Mike Dawson cleans up an extreme race in Norway. For story from Bay of Plenty Times CLICK HERE World Cup Two website CLICK HERE The NZ Junior team have left on their Europe tour. To keep up to date on their travels visit their blog www.kayaknz.blogspot.com
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2008 First hurdle for Olympic hopefuls over
- [ Friday, June 20, 2008 ]
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In an exciting mornings racing New Zealand secured 3 semi final spots for tomorrow and more importantly for Luuka Jones and James Dawson, the opportunity to meet their Olympic selection criteria of a top 16 nation placing. First up was James Dawson in C1 and he raced solidly with a 96.32+2 to finish in 27th after first runs. With his focus on semis, he maintained his composure and produced a good second run to qualify 30th overall. His next step towards Beijing accomplished. The first runs for the women were next with the first of our group, junior Ella Nicholas paddling for the Cook Islands, rolling in the drop and incurring 100 seconds penalties. The first of the kiwi women Louise Jull had a solid run in her first World Cup, but was just off the top 40 pace at 43rd. Luuka Jones, who had all the pressure, needing to make semis to secure her Olympic spot was a bit tentative and ended the first runs at 46th. Over the break, the team re-grouped with British coach Andrew Raspin, analysed the race video and then all went out for a much improved second run. Ella Nicholas on 108.92+8, while the two kiwi girls broke into the top 40. Louise 114.30 +2 Luuka 107.59 clean. The air around the kiwi camp in the large tent, with live video feed and several TV's was tense while we waited until the final athletes finished their runs. Luuka finished 38th and Louise 39th and with nerves out of the way they will look to an even better performance tomorrow. The young kiwi team, were very happy with the morning's performances that showed obvious evidence that the commitment to training in England and Europe prior to this race has paid off. The C2 will race this afternoon. by Sue Clarke in Prague
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2008 Prague WC live on Czech TV & Internet
- [ Wednesday, June 18, 2008 ]
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2008/9 Draft Calendar
- [ Wednesday, June 18, 2008 ]
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2008 Rotorua pool slalom & coaching
- [ Monday, June 09, 2008 ]
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Mark your diaries...The next Rotorua event will be an indoor slalom in the Rotorua aquatic centre on Saturday 23rd August. Come over for the day and train at the Kaituna and then warm up in the pool at night. The pool slalom will be from 5 to 8pm and there will also be a rolling competition. If anyone is interested in getting coached on the weekends, Aaron and I will be offering coaching for $15 per person per session on Sunday mornings at 10am. Please contact Andy Fuller andyfuller@clear.net.nz if you are interested.
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2008 Kaituna Slalom
- [ Sunday, June 08, 2008 ]
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A great turn out of 20 paddlers braved the chilly conditions in Rotorua today to race at the Kaituna. Competitors ranged from Zac Mutton (age 8) experiencing his first slalom to Craig Teal and Rod Laurensen, masters, who are rediscovering slalom racing. Thanks to all the helpers who sat through the very cold conditions especially Andy Fuller for organising the race and setting the course. For results click here
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2009 Australian Opens & Schools
- [ Thursday, May 15, 2008 ]
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CLICK HERE for the link to the Australian Opens & Australian Secondary schools events to be held in Tasmania January 2009.
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