This June, Wales’ newest and most innovative sporting facility will host one of the UK’s last major sporting events before the London Olympics. 145 of the World’s best canoe slalom paddlers from 38 nations will compete at Cardiff International White Water in a World Cup that runs from 8th – 10th June. The event will act as the final selection race for Olympic team places for many of the countries attending. This guarantees top class action and huge pressure high stakes competition as the athletes risk all to earn the right to be at the Olympic start line.
Canoe Wales and the Centre were delighted to host the First Minister of Wales Carwyn Jones and Vaughan Gething, Assembly Member for Cardiff South and Penarth, to discuss preparations for the event and to view some training taking place at the centre.
The First Minister and Local Assembly member were provided with a tour of the facility and watched a training session for members of the Welsh U23 Slalom Squad and a number of paddlers from the USA slalom team.
Team USA will be one of the Nations selecting their Olympic squad based on results from the Cardiff Race. 10 paddlers from the States have been training at the facility for the last week and will be resident in Wales until the World Cup where they will compete for their places.
Cardiff’s World Cup will provide an opportunity for the public to see the GB Olympic team race against the best paddlers in World. Team GB will hold a training camp at Cardiff from 21st May in preparation for the competition.
Richard Harvey CEO of Canoe Wales said “The Welsh team are already in preparation to battle for selection for the Olympic Games in Rio in 2016 and some of the younger members will be training in Cardiff with a view towards the 2020 Olympic Games. Today’s visit has been inspirational for our future Olympic hopefuls. Training with other nations is building relationships for the future and legacy opportunities for the sport and centre.”
During the event Canoe Wales will be introducing 1000 children to the sport as part of a legacy programme to look for the stars of the future and encourage lifelong enjoyment in sport. The World Cup will be the first major event to be held at Cardiff and the first major canoeing event to be held in Wales since the 1995 World Championships in Bala. Richard Harvey added “It will be a great spectacle for the Welsh public and will help to enhance the profile of the sport in Wales and demonstrate that Wales can deliver great sporting events. The support and assistance from the Welsh Government has been tremendous and we are looking forward to a fantastic competition in a few weeks time.”
First Minister Carwyn Jones said “Since the Cardiff International White Water centre opened, the Welsh Government has been in regular discussions with Canoe Wales and the British Canoe Union to identify major event opportunities. The World Cup is one of the last major events to be held in the UK for an Olympic sport prior to the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. For the many thousands of people that have been unsuccessful in securing Olympic tickets, this event provides a tremendous opportunity to see many of the world’s best canoeists in action”.
Jim Wade of the USA team said “The welcome from the centre, Canoe Wales and people of Cardiff has been tremendous. The centre is a very special facility and the World Cup will be an awesome event to participate in. There will be a lot of pressure on us all with our Olympic selection based on the races but this will provide a spectacular environment for the spectators”.
Vaughan Gething noted “I am delighted that this facility is hosting such an auspicious event and that the World’s best will be racing in Cardiff. The centre and Canoe Wales have positive ambitions for the event and for future engagement and development of the sport’s participation at a local and national level.”
The event runs from the 8th – 10th June 2012 and tickets have now go on sale on the event’s website http://cardiffbay2012.worldcup.events.slalom.canoeicf.com/en/ticket-sales
Notes to Editors:
Canoe Cardiff 2012
Cardiff International White Water (CIWW) is hosting the International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup from 8 - 10 June 2012. Professional paddlers from across the globe will ride a 300m rapid, in an adrenalin fuelled race of speed and skill.
Only the best can tackle the tides, dodge the obstacles, and speed through up to 25 gates in a race against the clock... It's no surprise that many of these world class teams will also be competing in the Olympics.
In 2010 officials met with representatives of the International Canoe Federation with a view to attracting the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup to CardiffBay in June 2012.
The Welsh Government has pledged financial support of £150,000 in support of the event, match funded by the UK Sport World Class Events programme.
Funding Partners:
The event has secured funding support from UK Sport and the Welsh Government Major Events Unit.
UK
Sport
UK Sport’s World Class Events Programme distributes approximately £3.5 million of Lottery funding each year to support the bidding and staging costs of major events on home soil, as well as providing specialist support to organisers. Over 100 events hosted by at least 35 different towns and cities will have been supported from 2007 until the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. These competitions will have attracted around 30,000 athletes and provided opportunities for over 27,000 officials and volunteers to gain international sporting experience and develop key skills ahead of London 2012.
Web:
uksport.gov.uk/events
Twitter: @uk_sport
The Welsh Government
The Welsh Government is supporting the 2012 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup taking place in Cardiff, Wales. The Welsh Government's Major Events Unit aims to create a systematic, balanced and sustainable portfolio of world class events that deliver a long term economic, social and cultural legacy for the people of Wales.
Web: wales.gov.uk
Web: visitwales.co.uk
Twitter: @visitwales
Doodson Sport:
Doodson Sport, proud supporter of Canoe Cardiff 2012, is an internationally-recognised insurance advisor with a rich heritage that spans over six decades. Our partnerships with sporting associations, governing bodies, teams and participants have been cultivated through long-term, trusted relationships and have developed through our understanding of our customers’ risks and insurance needs.
Web:
doodsonsport.com
Twitter: @doodsonbg
#canoecardiff2012 Canoe Slalom World Cup 2012
Canoe Cardiff 2012 is the name of the 2012 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup taking place in Cardiff in June 2012.
Twitter: #canoecardiff2012
ICF Canoe Slalom World Cups are staged as a series of events at different international locations. For the 2012 season, five ICF World Cups will be held
Web: canoecardiff2012.com
Wales’ newest and most innovative sporting facility will host the last major sporting event before the London Olympics. 145 of the World’s best canoe slalom paddlers from 38 nations will compete at Cardiff International White Water in June’s World Cup.
The event will be one of the last major events to be held in the UK for an Olympic Sport prior to the London 2012 Olympic Games. It will be the first major event to be held at CIWW and the first major canoeing event to be held in Wales since the 1995 World Championships in Bala which will help to raise the profile of canoeing in Wales.
The event will act as the final selection race for Olympic team places for many of the countries attending. This guarantees top class action and huge pressure high stakes competition as the athletes risk all to earn the right to be at the Olympic start line.
The event runs from the 8th – 10th June 2012 and tickets have now go on sale on the event’s website
http://cardiffbay2012.worldcup.events.slalom.canoeicf.com/en/ticket-sales
The British Canoe Union
The British Canoe Union is the lead body for canoeing and kayaking in the UK; responsible for leading and setting the overall framework including representing canoeing interests through coaching, competition and campaigning for increased access to Britain’s waterways.
Web:
www.bcu.org.uk
Canoe Wales
Canoe Wales is the national governing body for paddle sport in Wales. We manage the National White Water Centre in Bala, North Wales; Represent the interests of our club and individual members; Advocate on behalf of the sport in Wales; Provide coaching and development programmes; Stage competitions.
Web:
www.canoewales.com
www.ukrafting.co.uk
Twitter: @CanoeWales
01678 521199
Cardiff International White Water
Winner of ‘Best Visitor Experience’ at the Visit Wales awards, Cardiff International White Water (CIWW) is a white water rafting facility in Cardiff Bay. Paddlers of all abilities aged 8+ can enjoy the thrill of White Water Rafting, Canoeing, Kayaking and Stand Up Paddle Boarding on the Olympic-standard course.
Web:
www.ciww.com
Twitter: @cardiffintww
Canoe slalom
Canoe slalom involves paddlers trying to negotiate their way down a 250m white water rapid, racing through a series of up to 25 gates made up of red and green poles. The aim is to achieve the fastest time possible after any time penalties for missing or touching gates.
Press and Media Contact
For more press and media opportunities in relation to the World Cup please contact
Richard Harvey: 02920829986
Richard.Harvey@canoewales.com
Helen Reeves:
helen.reeves@bcu.org.uk