Just back from EDBF European Championships in Prague. Czech out the results at http://ec2006.dragonboat.cz/index.php?page=results.

No hibernation this winter if you expect to do well in Sydney next year!

I don't mean that in any snobby, N.A-centric kind of way, but since this was in eastern Europe you see a lot of eastern European teams that typically only play in their own back yard. Australia is a very expensive place to get to, you likely won't see a lot of these crews going "down under."

Okay, that said, what the hell happened to Germany? Brutal.

And TWO Russian Senior Open crews in the Top 3? Wow, strong program. Good luck, Mack & Jim.

Great Britain will again be a challenge in the Prem. Women's class. Bring 'em on!

Results should be taken with a grain. Have you been to Prague? I have, and that race location on the river is ridiculous. This is not a regatta course.

Sure hide your head in the sand. Russia is gearing up for Sydney and Czech appears to be quite well-sponsored so I wouldn't be surprised to see them down under. Visas are more likely to be an impediment.

I have been to the regatta course in Prague (200 & 500 location was further up the river, not near the Charles Bridge where the 2000 was held). Although it may not have had all the whistles and bells of some of the Olympic courses (like Berlin's start & finish towers and overhead course markings), it is an approved regatta course qua lane widths, depths, etc. There was a pretty good tailwind on Sunday, but Friday and Saturday were still.

Or are you guys on one of the Eastern European teams? Trying to lull the North Americans into a false sense of security with your course and team-bashing so you can hibernate? Nice tactic!

As for Germany, they sent along some of their old faithful crews as the national team, as far as I could tell (their selection, historically, has been team-based rather than individual paddler selection - the winners of their national championships usually represent the country). Germany is still good, but the rest of Europe have gotten better. There were a fair number of Olympic and World Championship medalists (canoe, judo, rowing, etc.) sprinkled through the teams, but this doesn't explain everything since Russia's premier teams weren't heavily stacked nor could you use this excuse to explain England's consistent, good results.

I would be very, very surprised to see Hungary or Slovakia in Australia next year. Prague is practically next door for them, but Australia is just too far away and too expensive. That's all I meant, no head in the sand here. That's just the way our sport is played. The further from home, the fewer European teams (East OR West) will show up.

Your right there. Money is always an issue (and not just for the Eastern Europeans). It's too bad really, as Slovakia and Hungary put on a fine show this past weekend and their people (paddlers as well as managers, etc.) are really nice folks. Nevertheless, it's never good for any team to rest on their laurels as I expect the action will be quite exciting in Sydney considering the best Asian teams can be expected.

(I'm just having a little fun by accusing you of denial.)

Fast times but so were the times in Welland NTT, lots under 1:50. Even had an over 50 mixed team do a 1:50 , pretty clear times mean squat.

Please post photos of yourself here.

Thank you.

You will need to train hard in order to beat us.

I am sure things will be much the same as previous worlds with the same crews in the top group, although perhaps in different orders. It would be cool to see Hungary and Slovakia come and that would make getting to the final more difficult.

Our premier women will be way ahead of the Brits. Our women got a number of better bodies this year and got faster than they were in Berlin. How our premier men fare will depend on a) which sprint bodies they can get and b) how much/seriously they practice together. They paddled twice for about 45 minutes total before the NTT this year and were far from par for them. Mixed will depend on the same factors as the men. All things considered, if we have our best bodies and prepare seriously we have a great chance to win or at least be close and on the podium every race. Of course the Russians will be amazing as will any of the other countries that raced in Prague, especially since the DB worlds will be AFTER the canoe/kayak worlds and those athletes will be free to compete in DB.

No sticking any heads in the sand, but at the same time not getting over impressed with crews that we already know to be very good.