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Saturday 22 February updated on 02-22-2025 at 8:06
Saturday 22 February updated on 02-22-2025 at 8:06
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An internationally renowned pool: The competition takes place in Bourg Saint Maurice on the Haute-Isère, in a natural setting.
The Haute-Isère basin is a magnificent competition setting in a natural environment that meets all the organisational and logistical requirements for top-level canoe-kayak events (the only basin where 3 World Championships have been held: 1969 - 1987 - 2002). It is renowned for its technical nature and has been described as "the most difficult in the world".
It's a race against the clock where competitors have to follow a course comprising 18 to 25 gates, coloured red or green. The aim is to pass between the gates without touching them, downhill for the green ones and uphill for the red ones. Each touch results in a penalty of 2 points, added to the time taken, which is converted into points (1 point = 1 second). Each race is run over 2 legs, which are added together.
Kayak cross is a combination of all the whitewater canoeing disciplines. Four competitors in four identical boats slide down a ramp more than two metres above the water.
This spectacular start is the prelude to a course in which each paddler tries to gain an advantage over his rivals. Athletes must negotiate gates upstream and downstream, and contact is allowed - adding to the thrills and excitement for spectators and canoeists alike.
Most races finish in around a minute, but times are not important. Whoever crosses the finish line first wins.
On the course, competitors have to perform a 360° turning manoeuvre in a set area.
+ 2 different types of boat:
Kayaking: the kayaker sits on a low seat at the bottom of the boat with his or her legs out in front.
Canoeing: the canoeist is seated on his knees in the bottom of the boat (on small holds), with his buttocks resting against a "bench". Legs bent, feet back.
+ 2 different types of paddle:
Single-seater or double-seater canoe: Single paddle 
Single-seater kayak: double paddle 
The official programme for the French Canoe-Kayak Slalom and Kayak Cross Championships is currently being drawn up and will be available shortly.
