Sustainable Sport NEWS

The world's greatest exponents of white water rafting have been fine tuning their skills this week in and around Rotorua ahead of the elite and masters World White Water Rafting Championships which starts today (Thursday 21st November) at Okere Falls near Rotorua.

Last weekend the Under-19 and Under-23 titles for men and women were fought out at Kawerau and Rangitaiki and this weekend the big guns will battle it out over four disciplines the Sprint, the Head to Head, the Slalom and the Down River as they fight it out for gold medals in the individual discipline and overall honours.

New Zealand has crews in both the Men's and Women's Open category and the Men's and Women's Masters category and all four crews are hungry for success after a curtain raising gold medal apiece for the Under -19 and Under-23 women last weekend.

The Kiwi women's Open crew is one of the hot favourites for honours whilst the elite men will face the best crews in the world including the current champs Japan and will hope extensive knowledge of all three stretches of river the Tarawera, Okere (also known as the Kaituna) and the mighty Rangitaiki will give them a home advantage.

The event begins today with the Sprint race at Okere Falls. The Head to Head will take place at that venue on Friday, the Slalom and Global Waterhouse Festival takes place on the Tarawera at Kawerau on Saturday and the competition concludes with a 45 minute Down River race on the Rangitaiki at Murapara.