After timing some slalom races and a surf ski race, CloudTimer added another paddle sports discipline to the list: The first downriver race was timed this weekend. The venue was the Viking Venlo Club and the race was the Dutch Downriver Classic.

A downriver race is a lot easier to time with CloudTimer then a slalom race. It is only one run and there are no gate judges and scores to add to the times. Next to that, the added value of CloudTimer in a Downriver race is very important. The moment the paddler is on course, the start time is visible on the large computer screen at  the finish. With split times available in the near future, it will be even more interesting to watch the race.

The people from the club involved in the organisation, did a great job. All volunteers were ready on race day. They had the app installed and already did some virtual practice races in the week prior to the event. After the team leader meeting, the final start list was uploaded and within five minutes the race was ready to go, at least from a technological point of view. The start timers all felt confident about using the app. Of course, the competitors and timers had to go to the start location first and this felt a bit strange. The process of starting the race was completely out of eyesight and even on two separate locations (2,5k and 4K).

At the finish, there was enough time to set up the finish tent and the results screen. With a nice cup of coffee in the hand, we saw the competitors appearing on the results screen.

Everything went smooth from start to finish, and the organisation is confident that for next edition, they will do the whole race without the extra support of the CloudTimer Staff.

The results can be found here:
https://results.cloudtimer.nl/dutch-downriver-classic.html