Winter has come, but majority of European paddlers are still training at home in not very pleasant conditions as the pandemic hit the world, so their usual winter escape destinations are harder to reach.
One of those who is training in snowy conditions is Luka Božič, Slovenian canoeist, reigning team European Champion and 4th in individual event as well as last year's bronze medallist at World Championships.
The venue of the 2017 ECA Canoe Slalom European Championships in Ljubljana - Tacen was covered in snow but this did not bother the best Slovenian paddlers to do their usual training. "I do not have problems with this. Maybe someone would think it is cold on the water, but it was actually quite pleasant. Every time the first snow falls, I am happy, because I know it will get warmer. I can say it was much colder a week ago," said Božič who dropped off the paddling gloves after two minutes of use, "It is hard to paddle with them, they annoy me. If there is -1 degrees and no wind, then there is no problem. We are used to it."
Regardless of the Covid-19 restrictions the trainings are not suffering at the moment. The only question remains what will happen with training camps abroad which were a must in the previous years. "I hope the restrictions will ease in other countries. I think we will be able to train in France like last year. There are no other options, except Al Ain ... I hope the weather in Pau will be similar like last year. It was not very warm, but I do not have any problems with it. I did a great training there last year with reigning Olympic champion. We hope we will go for a longer training camp in the end of January. So, three weeks of training and Pau and then a week of training in Ivrea, where the European Championships will be held and last selection race for Slovenian Olympic team," concluded Božič.
Source: https://siol.net/sportal/drugi-sporti/nekaterim-se-zdi-cudno-on-pa-je-po-dveh-minutah-odvrgel-rokavice-video-540491
9.12.2020
