Semifinal showdown at Lake Banook, N.S., as World Junior paddlers race to finals

Some athletes are closer to the podium at the world canoe championships in Dartmouth, N.S.

The field is tightening and the pressure is rising at Lake Banook, N.S., as the Junior and U-23 Canoe Sprint World Championships moved into semifinal action on Thursday.

After a high-energy opening day that drew large Canada Day crowds to the shoreline, day two saw athletes return to the water, fighting for places in Friday’s finals.

“The first day, we had a lot of excitement from the athletes trying to jockey their position in the races, and now we’re moving on to the semifinals. And then tomorrow we start the finals,” said Mark James, executive director of Canoe 26.

James said the event saw an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 spectators on Wednesday, with larger crowds expected as the weekend approaches. Organizers are projecting about 17,000 visitors over the course of the week.

While turnout dipped slightly on Thursday, he said that is not unexpected.

“Right from the first race at 9 a.m., there were tons of Canadians, some German fans and Brazilian fans, and they were cheering right away. But today’s a little quieter, and I like to believe the spectators are saving their energy for the next three days,” he said.

Weather is also playing a role, with hot and humid conditions settling over the course after earlier days of rain.

Coaches say managing hydration and recovery between races has become just as important as performance on the water.

“Every athlete has their own personal race day plan, so that’s from the moment they wake up until the moment they finish the race,” said KC Dalton, a junior development coach with Team Canada. “Hydration, electrolytes, staying cool before they race.”

Dalton said racing at home is giving Canadian athletes a competitive edge, with many already familiar with Lake Banook and its conditions.

“We’re on home ground. All these athletes have raced at this event before and have raced on this course before,” she said. “We have such a good support group coming forward.”

That support has extended beyond the grandstands.

A nearby waterfront condominium has raised the flags of every nation competing in the championships after reaching out to organizers ahead of the event to ask how they could help welcome visiting athletes and fans.

Organizers say the gesture has stood out to international visitors as a symbol of community support.

Traffic has also been impacted by the event, with Prince Albert Road closed as part of the racecourse setup. Organizers say detours, combined with nearby construction on Creighton Avenue, have led to slower commutes during peak times.

“It’s definitely a central artery for those commuting into Halifax,” James said. “It was compounded a little bit by some construction on one of those detour routes. We’re hoping tomorrow is a little bit better.”

Despite those challenges, foot traffic around the venue has remained strong, with spectators walking through the site, stopping at vendors, and watching races throughout the day.

Organizers say conditions and attendance are expected to build heading into Friday’s finals, with the largest crowds of the week anticipated over the weekend.

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