Thun, Switzerland – Canadian Nick Troutman destroyed the wave and fellow paddlers in Thun with rides scoring more than 1300 points as International Canoe Federation Freestyle World Championships got under way here yesterday.

Troutman led the entire men’s delegation of Canadian paddlers into the quarterfinal rounds with blistering rides full of huge air screws and was among just a handful of men successfully throwing down McNasties.

Troutman’s score of 2480, comprised of the best two of four rides, was more than 800 points ahead of the next highest scoring competitor, second place Slovakian Peter Csonka with 1613 points and nearly 1600 points ahead of defending World Champion Eric Jackson of the USA. Interesting side note: Troutman became Jackson’s son-in-law this spring when he married, Jackson’s daughter, and top pro kayaker Emily Jackson.

In all, some 14 countries will be represented in the quarterfinal round set to take place Friday. Lluis Rabaneda, Chair of the ICF Freestyle Committee said 14 countries and four continents represented by 30 paddlers demonstrates the increasing depth of talent developing in freestyle paddlers around the world beyond powerhouse countries like the USA, Canada and Australia.

Richard Fox, Second Vice President of the ICF, was seen spending a lot of time in the judging booth yesterday checking out the action, taking photos and even guest posting an observation via Twitter. “Freestyle brings a lot of energy and excitement to canoeing,” Fox said. “I think it has a lot of potential to grow and really capture the imagination of a new breed of paddler.”

For further information about the entire lineup of competitions and other festival events, visit www.icf-thun2009.ch

[info source: lee hart, brandamp]