Boater Cross

from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Head-to-head race shortly after the start

Boater-Cross (CSLX - "Canoe Slalom Extreme") is a head-to-head race in canoe slalom . Several boats start a run ("heat") at the same time, and the canoeists fight each other directly. Similar to the snowboard races at the Olympic Games, only the two fastest boats that have been driven without errors qualify for the next round. Boater-Cross is a fast and action-packed race. It offers the viewer the possibility of a direct comparison of the drivers and ensures increased popularity.

History and development of the sport

Competition on the "bouncer"

The Kanu Schwaben Augsburg hosted a Boater Cross Open in 2013 and 2014 . In May 2015 and 2016, the first two European Boater Cross Cups of  the European Canoe Association (ECA) also followed on the ice channel . At that time, there were still “bumpers” positioned on the track that each driver had to touch with a part of their body (hand, arm, head, shoulder or torso). Just touching the paddle was not enough. If a paddler intentionally hit or pushed a “bouncer” aside with the paddle or a part of the body in order to make it more difficult for a subsequent opponent to touch, he was disqualified.

Boater-Cross was also part of the World Cup events organized by the International Canoeing Federation (ICF) in 2016 and 2017 . At the Canoe Slalom World Championships 2017 in Pau ( France ), the Slalom Extreme discipline was held for the first time as part of a world championship. In these competitions, the "bumpers" were removed and the Eskimo roll introduced in a certain section of the route.

Track and obstacles

At the same time, the boats slide over a several meter high ramp into the white water (mass start). In white water every canoeist tries to find the fastest line and assert himself against the competition. There are various obstacles to be overcome along the way. This includes 4 to 6 down goals and 4 up goals. Two upward gates each have to be arranged as pairs symmetrically on the right and left so that the driver can choose one or the other gate. In addition, an Eskimo roll has to be completed in a certain section of the route. Missing a directional gate or any other rule violation leads to immediate disqualification. The route can be improved by the driver at any time. A paddler who has passed an obstacle, for example, can take the correct route in a second attempt - without leaving the boat. The order of the finish is decisive. The two fastest, faultlessly driven boats qualify for the next run.

The length of the route is measured in such a way that it can be covered within a time of around 45 to 60 seconds.

regulate

Boater cross is a very physical sport. Mutual disabilities are allowed, but for safety reasons it is important to follow some rules. The hands always stay on the paddle. Pure boat contact is allowed, which makes it possible to push or push another boat. However, it is forbidden to push or hold back people or kayaks with hands or paddles. Any attacks on the opponent's body are also prohibited. This applies to both the contact of the opponent's body with the paddle and the deliberate ramming of the opponent's body with the tip of the boat. It is also forbidden to consciously reach over the opponent's boat with your own paddle. Directional gates may not be knocked away or pushed away consciously to the disadvantage of the opponent. In the event of rule violations, a driver will be disqualified immediately by the jury.

Types of boats and equipment

Only commercially available modern creeker whitewater boats are permitted for a boater cross race . Their design may not be changed or modified. Boats with a pointed bow (to prevent injuries) or boats with a stern that is too flat (river runners) are prohibited. The latter would make it much more difficult to push the person in front during boat-to-boat contact. Boats with a length of 205 to a maximum of 275 cm and a boat weight of at least 18 kg, which are listed in the approval index of the ICF, are permitted. This list is updated on January 1st. Every canoeist is obliged to wear a helmet, a life jacket and white water protective clothing.

Web links

Individual evidence

  1. ↑ Canoe News. 1st ECA European Boater Cross Cup on 9/10 May in Augsburg. German Canoe Association, March 12, 2015, accessed on December 3, 2017 .
  2. ↑ Canoe News. Caroline Trompeter becomes the first slalom extreme world champion in Pau. October 2, 2017. Retrieved December 3, 2017 .
  3. ↑ a b c ECA 2nd European Boatercross 2016 - Kanu Schwaben Augsburg eV Accessed on June 27, 2017 .
  4. ↑ a b c d e EXTREME CANOE SLALOM. (PDF) competition rules. International Canoe Federation, 2017, accessed December 3, 2017 .
  5. ^ Project KFT - website of the North German Canoe Freestyle and Whitewater Team. Retrieved June 27, 2017 .