Training as a team in a country with eleven contiguous time zones is no easy feat. The current Russian Open Women’s team is spread across the country meaning meeting to train involves travelling by train for 4 or 5 days or up to a 6 hour flight. With such distances between them, training sessions involve meticulous planning and dedication from each team member. This week we meet these dedicated women planning to win medals in Australia at the IRF World Rafting Championship in May. We asked Team Captain, Katerina Kozhanova who is heading to Australia as the Russian Open Women’s team.
Unfortunately, the Under 23 Women’s team were unable to compete for Australia but that has meant most of the U23W team who competed in Argentina, are able to compete in the Open Women team for Australia.
The team for Australia will consist on three members of the U23 Women team, one masters woman and two new to world rafting championship athletes.
Our team has three youth, one master woman and two new to the team. Together we are open women!
- Kozhanova Katerina (47 years old) – coach, athlete, left back. I train a lot, perform in competitions: skiing, marathon, triathlon. I work as a coach
- Kozhanova Valentina (20 years old) – works in the center of the World Universiade. Athlete, right forward
- Chugunova Tamara (20 years old) – works as a children’s trainer. Athlete, right back
- Malakhova Vera (24 years old) – coach of girls up to 19. Athlete, left forward
- Mid-new athletes who will participate in world competitions for the first time
Russia Open Women are our River Family. Are You?
#AreYouReady #RaftersAreAwesome #RiverFamily #StrongerTogether #WeAreIRF
We’re looking for more stories of River Family – if you have a story to tell, email Sean with your story and photos.
