The first day of rafting competitions on Chile’s iconic Rio Trancura brought high-energy action as teams from across the globe competed for top spots in four categories. The day started with the RX qualification runs, setting the starting order for the Saturday's much-anticipated RX Knockout rounds - apart from Chile 1 (women) the fastest line in each category has been drawn by Brazil. These time awarded no points in the general rankings but will decide the matches in the RX knock-out stage (2nd November).
In the Downriver Men’s Category Brazil swept the podium with Team Brazil 1 - Saulo Quieroz, Angelo Degrandi, Paulo Righeto Scantimburgo, Thiago Diniz Barne Ganeo and Lucas Da Silva taking the lead (23:15.431), followed by Brazil 3 (23:33.232) in second and Chile 1 (23:50.804) in third.
The Women’s Category saw Team Chile 1 - Paloma Molina, Yarela Munoz, Nicole Plagemann, Camila Ortega Lancafilo, Nazareth Zapata, Fernanda Andrea Fuentes Ramirez and Javiera Alfaro (25:37.441) capture first place, with Canada 1 (26:07.237) close behind in second, and Argentina 1 (26.31.761) rounding out the top three.
Brazil 1 - Nathalia Dos Santos, Angelo Degrandi, Amanda Nicoletti, Lucas Da Silva and Careline de Souza dominated again in the Mixed Category, taking first (24:30.250), while Costa Rica 1 (25:05.999) and Chile 1 (25:12.220) secured second and third, respectively.
In the Para-Rafting Category, Ariel Ton, Paulo Righeto Scantimburgo, Thiago Diniz Barne Ganeo, Rafael Mahn Iori and Francisco Kess paddling for Team Brazil 1 (25.:45.851) maintained the winning streak of their country, with Colombia 1 (26:05.949) finishing second and Chile 1 (26:49.052) taking third.
WRF athletes paddling the "Pescador" rapid in Trancura river
As teams prepare for tomorrow’s Slalom runs, the excitement continues, with races set to start at 9:30 a.m. on the Rio Trancura.
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