Update from Marion Davidson, Junior Team Manager, Foix 2010 Junior World Championships:

After two days of racing at the Junior World Championships in Foix, France, four of the seven members of the Canadian slalom team have advanced to the semi-finals.  On the first day of qualification, current Junior and Senior National Champion, Jazmyne DenHollander of Chilliwack, BC placed 18th with a time of 122.37 just 11.67 seconds back from the leader Clara Giai Pron of Italy.  Marissa Dederer of Canmore, Alberta placed 27 with a time of 126.95.  The top thirty boats in the women's kayak advance to the semi finals.  Unfortunately Rachael Penman of Ottawa, Ontario ended up in 38th place with a time of 130.28 and will not advance.

On day two, Alexandra McGee, also from Ontario, uncorked an amazing run in the women's C1 and after first runs she was sitting in 4th place.  Her second run was not as good and she ended up ninth overall for the day with a time of 164.11.  Jess Fox of Australia came first with a time of 124.05.  All 19 of the women C1 paddlers will advance to the semi finals.  This is the first Junior World Championships which have included women's C1 and it will be exciting to see if Alexandra will put Canada on the podium at this historic race.

Michael Tayler of Ottawa laid down a scorching run in the men's kayak class, just 2.82 seconds back from the French paddler Quentin Burgi.  His former training partner Jiri Prskavec of the Czech Republic ended the day in fifth place.  Max-Emil Petitclerc of Quebec narrowly missed the semi final placing 42nd just two spots shy of the 40 who advanced.  Adrian Cole of Alberta ended the day in 61st place.  

Earlier today the team race qualifying runs took place. In the men's K1 Michael Tayler, Max-Emile Petit-clerc, and A.J. Cole finished a respectable 15th in a very tough field and did not make the final. Our K1W team of Rachael Penman, Jaz Dennhollander, and Marissa Dederer also did not qualify for the final but made a great effort again in a very tough field.

On Sunday the semi finals and finals will take place. Live results are available at:  http://www.123result.com/

Good luck to all our Canadian paddlers tomorrow.