January 10, 2007 (Gainesville, GA) Lanier athletes will have the opportunity to compete “under the lights” at the Sydney Olympic Venue for Flatwater Canoe / Kayak and Rowing! The USACK 19 and under Australia Youth Olympic Festival Tour will be competing in the 2007 New South Wales 200M State Championships at night under the lights. This competition is being conducted at night for the first time this Friday evening. It seems appropriate that athletes from another successful Olympic Legacy venue will have the opportunity to participate in this historic competition. Night racing has also been offered at the Tampa Dragon Boat Festival in the United States. All of the results and photos will be available on the NSW Sprint website http://www.nswsprint.canoe.org.au/
Previous press release on the USACK Development Tour:
January 6, 2007 (Gainesville, GA) Five Lanier Canoe and Kayak Club athletes will travel to ‘The Land Down Under’ for the Australian Youth Olympic Festival. Over 1500 athletes from 17 sports will be competing. Lanier athletes will be going head to head with the best 19 and under athletes from Australia, Chinese Taipei, China, France, Great Britain, Hungary, Japan, New Zealand and South Africa. China and Great Britain have particularly high hopes for their young athletes with their sights set on success at the upcoming Olympics they are hosting. This competition will provide wonderful international experience for the US 19 and under team. Australia hosts the AYOF every two years. This is the second time Lanier athletes have had the opportunity to compete under the direction of Guy and Shelley Wilding.
Lanier athletes Emily Mickle, Emily Vinson, Brady Bragg, Josh Brandsma and Sheaffer Sorrells will be leaving on Monday, January 8th for a two week tour. The group will also have the opportunity to compete in several other Australian events. The AYOF competition will be on January 18 and 19 and can be followed on the AYOF web site: www.olympics.com.au/ayof07 Lanier athletes will be joined by Taran Stucchio from Rockaway Olympic Canoe and Kayak Club in New York, Patrick Dolan from the Hawaii Canoe and Kayak Team and Maia Farrar Wellman from the Washington Canoe Club and Katrina Batina from the Gig Harbor Club in Washington State. Mary Taylor and Victoria Llonch also qualified, but declined their positions. The team was qualified based on 2006 competitive results.
The team will be led by USACK Development Coach Guy Wilding and team leader Katie Hagler. The Olympic Festival is an outstanding opportunity for international competition as US athletes prepare for the 2007 Junior and Senior World Championships. Many thanks to Guy for coordinating this fantastic opportunity for our youth!