Paddlers from around the globe are using several lakes around Halifax Regional Municipality in preparation for the 2009 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships, August 12 to 16 at the Bell Aliant Racing Centre on Lake Banook.
In just seven days, more than 1,000 athletes from 75 countries will compete in the largest international sporting event ever held in Atlantic Canada.
Excitement is building.
“This is a must-see event,” said Chris Keevill, Chair of Canoe ‘09. “Next week, Nova Scotians will have the unique opportunity to see Olympic-level racing – live and in person. These athletes are the best in the world, the fastest on Earth.”
Many of the world’s fastest paddlers have arrived for acclimatization camps leading up to Canoe ’09. International paddlers from Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa and Belarus are training at Graham’s Grove; Italy is training at Banook Canoe Club; France and Australia are at Cheema Aquatic Club and Denmark is at Mic Mac Amateur Aquatic Club. Athletes are arriving a week in advance to help adjust to the time zone and get used to Nova Scotia’s climate.
Races begin Thursday, Aug. 13. Heat and semifinals will take place on Thursday and Friday. Finals will be on Saturday and Sunday.
There will also be a festival along Prince Albert Road featuring daily entertainment, opening ceremonies and closing ceremonies, and a concert with Matt Mays.
A schedule of events is available at www.canoe09.ca.
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For more information contact:
Stacey Jones-Oxner
Communications Chair
902-497-6062
soxner@canoe09.ca
