2010 Teva Extreme Games Italy- NZ World Champions

Credit Teva Photos L to R Johann Roozenburg, Mike Dawson, Sam Sutton

The Kiwi contingency of Mike Dawson, Sam Sutton and Johann Roozenburg flew into Munich from recent successes at Vail, Colorado. Leading on from their fine USA performances Dawson wrapped up day one of the racing taking out both events, Ivrea northern Italy.

This morning an outstanding field of international competitors (Olympians, World Champions) lined up on the Chiusella River for the first race of the Teva Extreme Outdoor Games. Despite adverse weather conditions the race was spectacular as the athletes battled it out on this difficult and treacherous stretch of the river demonstrating high technical skills.
Mike Dawson (NZL) won the long race with a time of 6:16:20, with Isaac Levinson (USA) 0:05:10s behind and in third place Eric Deguille (FRA) with 6:23:50. Sam Sutton(NZL) finished a credible 4th position just off the podium with Johann Roozenburg (NZL) 18th in this field of 65 world class international paddlers
The high tensions and competitiveness continued throughout the afternoon with the "King of the Falls, a spectacular race from the top of Chiusella River which saw the top athletes combat it out for the title of" King of the Falls ". Only the top 20 placed athletes from the morning long run were eligible to race the "King of the Falls" An adrenaline test, this race has everyone on the edge competitors and spectators alike with the spectacular waterfalls, gnarly water demanding high levels of technical skills, fitness and endurance sending the crowd wild with excitement
Mike Dawson (NZL) also triumphed in the afternoon and according to 2009 winner and top international slalom paddler Kral Dejan (SLO) 2nd commented ‘Dawson is the King!' in third was well known international Honza Lasko (CZE) and NZL'er Sam Sutton was piped into 4th position
Mike Dawson, spearheading the New Zealand team, is the big winner today. Winner of both this morning's Long Race and winner of the King of the Falls in the afternoon.
In an interview a few months ago, Mike told the organisers that he hoped this year to get a good result..
Working towards the Freeride World Championship title and Team Extreme Kayak World Championship title Dawson faces his opponents with strength and high expectations to reach his goal. With two wins out of four events for the former he is in good standing for the title, the Team Extreme kayak World Championship involves two races slalom and downriver over some treacherous water and will be held over the weekend. Keep an eye out for the next results.
Check out full results http://www.tevaextremeoutdoorgames.it/

Teva Mountain Games -Vail Colerado NZL on the Podium

With spectator crowds of close to 35,000 and over 3000 competitors this is a massive event testing the mettle of the world’s best. Held over four days the town of Vail USA becomes a Mecca for the worlds’ top extreme athletes. New Zealanders are strong contenders with a strong reputation for being at the fore of the world’s best in kayaking proved again they are at the top internationally. Congratulations to the following athletes for their prowess

Steep Creek Championship
Sam Sutton NZL, a Rotorua local took out the Steep Creek Challenge ahead of Mike Dawson NZL 2009 champion. Sam showed his style all the way winning both runs with a clear margin ahead of the worlds’ top whitewater kayakers. Sam who had been preparing in the States for the last three weeks showed his superb skill, technique and fitness on both his runs. Mike Dawson sitting in 4th place after run one was ready and rearing for his second run knowing he had to put down a blistering time ,he knew he was in trouble when early into the second run his shaft snapped on a rock heading into the Leap of Faith waterfall and left him working hard to make it down this gnarly river in 7th position. Johann Roozenburg (Rotorua) also showed his ability coming in 6th position after two solid runs. In the women’s challenge Nikki Kelly NZL was piped at the post into 3rd position by old time rival and friend Tanya Faux AUS, Leea Samuels NZL came in a credible 6th position just ahead of fellow NZL’er Rachael Curtis of Nelson

Down River Sprints
Mike Dawson NZL had a clear margin winning the sprint 8..36s ahead of fellow NZL Sam Sutton with Tao Berman USA coming in 3rd position. The NZL paddlers were on a roll and well represented on the podium with top world extreme woman kayaker Nikki Kelly NZL (Rotorua) in 3rd position in the women’s sprint closely followed by Louise Jull NZL (Otaki) a new comer to international extreme events in 4th position.
Mike, Sam and Johann now head towards Italy to contest their World Extreme title in the teams division against the world‘s best extreme kayakers from around the globe. With a sound performance behind them they are looking for a podium finish in Ivrea, Northern Italy
Unfortunately he high temperatures, snow melt and extreme river flows caused the cancellation of the final day of kayak racing and the 9th annual Teva Mountain Games Vail, Colorado June 3-6, 2010 came to an end

http://www.tevamountaingames.com/

BOP Times article Kiwis dominate