C-Forum

I've been able to see the prelims of all the events (C-1, C-2, men's and women's K-1), but the only finals I've been able to see is the women's K-1. The schedule on NBC keeps changing (I guess when there are no americans in the finals they drop the coverage.)

Did anyone catch the C-1, C-2 or mens' K-1 finals?

Darren

youve got to expect that when no american wins a medal. they changed the coverage to show ms giddens's final because she's an american who won silver.

I saw the C-1 finals at 6:00 AM EST one morning. Coverage was poor, IMO. The scoring change was mentioned only briefly as a post script to the broadcast by a studio talking head with no explanation except reference to a scoring "clerical error." Seeing as a change in the Gold Medal winner was involved, I found that curt comment inadequate!

Unfortunately, I was also disappointed with Jon Lugbill's on air performance. He added to the broadcast, certainly, but his few and often repeated insights were something less than "world class."

Anyone else left with the feeling that Jon's vast experience in international slalom racing was less than evident in his color comments? Maybe the NBC network didn't want him to get too technical for the general public, but surely there was a whole lot more going on than "he's has a zen-like paddling style" or "the lower split on the second run is where the race is won".

Bottom line is, other than some fine visuals due to excellent camera locations on the best race course ever, missing the broadcast of the C-1 finals is no big deal.

I'm quite happy that the whitewater races have been televised during daytime (afternoon) and PRIMETIME coverage . Our sport just doesn't carry the popularity or sensationalism as the swimming or gymnastic events, so this amount of coverage has been great, in my opinion. When was the last time any of us watched slalom racing on television, other than obscure telecasts by OLN? When they changed Rebecca's silver medal run from the afternoon to primetime, Bob Costas really looked like he blanched on the air when he had to re-announce the events that were coming on (hee hee ).

Could Jon do a better job with his color commentaries? He can certainly bring a lot more technical information to the telecast, but why? We pretty much know more of what's going on than 90% of the viewing audience in slalom, so no need to "preach to the choir" here. He has actually caused me to burst out laughing at times with comments like (not a direct quote), Eric certainly does all the talking in that relationship. Or hearing his explanation as to why Matt is being compared to a diesel engine . He's a lot more positive and upbeat than the commentators in gymnastics (again, in my opinion).

I'll take what is being shown this year (especially since I am recording the early morning telecast of the c-2, k-1 finals. I've never been able to see the '92, '96, or the 2000 slaloms in the Olympics, so this is great. Video recording has really helped me enjoy the races this year.

"Guest", I'm not bashing you for your reply. We can certainly see and hear better stuff when slalom racing is on TV. Just watch and listen to the ABC showing of the '89 Worlds sometime. Ugh! And they can certainly lose the studio center mouthpieces and stop with all the narrative prattle .

KNeal

yeah, ill agree that the NBC coverage isnt perfect, but what the heck. at least slalom is on tv. id like to take this chance to recognize the best slalom announcer ever, Eric Evans. he was the man, and he was also one of the best writers ive ever read (read his article on a young lugbill).

but yeah, some of the NBC announcers arent exactly as world class as the athletes. yesterday i turned on cycling and paul sherwyn was the commentator (the tour de france guy) and it was amazing what a good announcer could do.

half of these announcers make it seem like a failure when the athlete gets silver, and they have no enthusiasm. but what the heck, at least it's on tv.

amazingly, you could hear Lamar Sims in the background of the NBC slalom coverage. I think they got Lamar to do the live stadium commentary. that's really cool, cause if any of you have been to nationals, you know he's the man too, and he uses words like "anon."

later
Alden

The bottom line is Team USA needs to win medals to get air time. Jon Lugbill sent a couple last minute emails to Davey Hearn letting us know about TV schedule changes, like the shift from the wee hours to primetime for K1W when Rebecca won a silver. Whenever there was any rumor of a schedule change we updated www.daveyhearn.com. With all the last minute TV schedule changes we missed taping and seeing a lot too, like the K1 race that aired mid-day Friday. I would really like to get my hands on the Athens Olympic Broadcast -- the non stop whitewater action of all 4 days. We'll keep you posted if that ever becomes available. The USA ended up with a 4th generation VHS copy in 1996 and the Ocoee Whitewater Center plays the 1996 Olympic feed at the rest area downstairs. You can check out the whitewater racing website for lots of Athens info, results, links to athlete journals, Cathy Hearn's insights about the Olympics and the course, and Olympic press archives, and more.

take two
http://www.daveyhearn.com

Thank you, Jennifer and Davey, for all the information you've been putting on your website regarding the Olympics. It has really helped muddle through the last-minute, schedule changing, quagmire NBC has created. Your site has been a WHOLE LOT more helpful than NBC's website

We need more pics!:D

KNeal

Checking out Davey's site again, I got to thinking about something... We'll probably have another Armada next spring on the North Branch Potomac, an event that brings those of us from the South up North and vice versa... Anybody interested in arranging for a clinic with Davey, maybe general paddling, maybe some slalom emphasis? I know my paddling could use a professional critique... I don't know if he'd come to the NBP, but I'd be game for something on a Friday on the Potomac (before a Saturday on the NBP or something else)...

I'd hate to miss another Friday like we had this year with a bunch of single bladers on the James. But if y'all can skip out of work on a Friday, you should be able to head North for the weekend .

Maybe he could even give some squirt boating tips . I know that there are at least a couple of us with Acrobats . I for one, could DEFINITELY use some help. Just how do you make it go down for a mystery anyway? It's a mystery to me .

more links to Olympic pictures on http://www.daveyhearn.com

http://www.athens2004.com/en/CanoeKayak ... 130c0aRCRD
Select the Date you wish to view, Whitewater August 17-20

http://news.search.yahoo.com/news/searc ... ews_photos
Sprint gets mixed in too

http://editorial.gettyimages.com/source ... ak|0|0&p=7
Search "Canoe Kayak" top left

Plus lots of interesting links to whitewater racing features on the press archives page too.