Combining kayaking and skiing doesn't sound very plausible but a little detail like that won't stop 100 kayakers from throwing themselves and their boats down a steep slope at Red Bull Snowkayak in Obertauern, Austria on March 28th.
Red Bull are renowned for viewing things slightly differently, but credit for the most skewed view must go to the employee who first looked at a kayak and thought: "we should race these bad boys down a mountain". Someone listened though and at Red Bull Snowkayak on March 28 in Obertauern, Austria, participants will be navigating their boats at top speeds of 45-60 km/h over steep banks, jumps and other obstacles strewn across the course.
Snow kayakers are a relatively new species of mountain competitor. While championships on water have a long history, this contest will be taking place for the third time only. One hundred paddlers from seven nations will be competing, and the ‘Snow Kayaker 2009’ title will be awarded to the one who finishes the course in the fastest time.
Those wanting to participate just need to bring along the required equipment: a kayak, back protector, helmet, paddle and glasses. The ride though is anything but easy. And this year’s qualifying round will make the contest all the more exciting. Only the fastest 64 from a total of 100 contestants will qualify from the first round and head for the finals. The finalists will then go head-to-head in groups of four. In the K.O. Boater Cross, the two fastest from each group will qualify for the next heat until the winner is decided in the grand finale.
Also this year, resourceful circuit builders have once again ensured a nail-biting contest right up to the bitter(ly cold) end: A moat at the end of the course will make for a spectacular finish to a pretty hot race.
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