Prague, Antarctica and the European Championships

With the second World Cup cancelled, we bailed on a flooded Plattling, and headed to Czech Republic, and Prague. The river was also in insane flood, but at least the sun was out so we checked out the city:



Following a good couple of days in Prague we flew to the Antarctic



(cough... Prague Zoo.. cough)


Back to Germany and Plattling, fortunately the floods had subsided, the sun was shining and Emily paddled flat out for few days. I was impressed with Emily and how much her boating has come on recently, the feature suited her style well, and she was throwing all sorts of moves and going big:






Emily went back home for her sisters wedding, and I drove the big red post van to Lienz, in Austria.

Just as I crossed the border to Austria, it started raining...

It stopped, then it started, then it stopped, then it started... it didn't actually properly stop until ten days later when I entered the next country!

Still, Lienz was host to the European Championships, and I was there to coach the British team, and to try and convince them that winning some medals was a good idea. Fortunately, they agreed and pulled out an impressive 8 podium places, which put GB at the top of the nations in the medal count. Lots of top performances so well done guys and girls! The team:



Coaching 20+ athletes at a high pressure competition certainly keeps you busy, but it is very rewarding and exciting work for a coach. I loved every minute of it.



European Championships over, and medals to everyone but the Squirters, who weren't recognised by the ECA. Not ideal, but it was almost worth it to see the earbashing Reevesy gave the head of the ECA afterwards!

Time for an explore of some more of eastern Europe... but thats for the next blog post.