Sukabumi, December 4th, 2015 –After concluding the Sprint races on the second day of the WRC 2015 (December 2nd), today followed the Head to Head (H2H) of the Open and Master
Division. H2H consist of two boats racing each other to compete for the best time in reaching the finish line. Starting from Nusa and finishing at Pendopo Arus Liar the course stretches 400 meters. There are a total of 20 teams for the Open Men and 16 teams for the Open Women categories representing 21 countries. There were nine teams for the Master Men, and four teams for Master Women.
The H2H has become a very physical race as the teams either clash when they are competing for the best line or clash because one or other of the teams wish to push the other off the racing line.
In the Master Men’s category hosts, Indonesia, earned a very respectable Silver Medal after being defeated by the Czech Master Men team whose time was 01:27:46. The New Zealand team defeated the Japanese and earned Bronze Medal in 01:28:90.
In the Women’s category it was an elated Norwegian team that took the Gold from the defending champions, New Zealand. The Bronze Medal was won by the Czech’s against Russia.
Great Britain’s path to the final saw them knocking out Italy, Canada, Japan and finally, Russia. The Japanese women defeated the Czech team to earn the Bronze Medal.
The start is key in the H2H and so watching Brazil launch themselves off the start line made it very clear as to why they are now the world champions in this discipline twice in a row. They flew out of the starting blocks to get ahead of New Zealand and to secure that Gold Medal for the Open Men’s category in 01:23:15. The Argentinian team, a new face on the podium, gained third place in 01:28:27 defeating the Russian team in the B final.
Some amazing battles were fought today and some top teams were taken by surprise by their opponents. Japan Open Men found themselves bulldozed to the side by a very powerful and determined Bosnia and Herzegovinian team. Brazil Open Women found themselves out powered by the Czechs. Disappointments abound as does elation. But it certainly is good to hear some different national anthems during the medal ceremonies!
The Open and Masters divisions still have two disciplines left; Slalom and Downriver. These events have 300 and 400 points maximum for the winners and so are very important to securing an overall win.
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