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French international crew confirmed for Hansa Powerade FishThursday, 16 September 2010 14:32 International talent confirmed for Hansa Powerade FishTwo of France's best canoeists have been added to the growing entry list for the Hansa Powerade Fish River Canoe Marathon in Cradock on 1 and 2 October, bringing an impressive combination of wild water and marathon racing expertise to the famous 82km race through the Klein Karoo. Loïc Vynisale and Quentin Bonnetain are both members of the French national wild water team and will be making their debut appearances at the Hansa powerade Fish, having heard about the race from another French international Rudi Gerard who tackled the race two years ago. Vinysale is the current wild water world champion in the classic discipline, and ended the World Cup season ranked number two in the world. His teammate Bonnetain shot to prominence when he won the junior wild water world championship title in 2007, and has since become a classy marathoner as well, winning the Lyon marathon three times and the tough Krumlov marathon with Rudy Gérard. The duo have combined to form a potent K2 crew that will be looking for a podium finish in what is looking set to be a ferociously competitive race, including the former runners up Max Hoff and Stephan Stiefenhoefer of Germany and the Czechs Robert Knebel and Tomáš Slovák eager to take on the best local crews. "I really want to take part in the Hansa Powerade Fish because it is a legendary race," said Vynisale. "It is a race I have always dreamed about since I got into white water racing." The 25 year old was cagey about making predications, but said he was hoping to shadow the experienced German crew throughout the race. "Our agenda is to stay on the wave of Max (Hoff) and Stephan (Stiefenhoefer)," said Vynisale. His partner Quentin Bonnetain has the advantage of having grown up in Vallon Pont d’Arc in the stunning Ardeche canyon which plays host to the famous Ardeche white water marathon each year. After making the French senior team to the wild water worlds for the first time earlier this year, he agreed to focus on a serious Ardeche K2 title challenge with Vinysale. "Every year I train with Loïc on the France Pole to Toulouse, and we have decided to participate in the Ardeche marathon together," said Bonnetain. He added that he had been encouraged to race the Hansa Powerade Fish by classy French racer Rudi Gérard, who finished 11th in the 2007 edition of the race. "I am really happy to be coming to do the Fish this year, as Rudy told me so much about it," said Bonnetain. He also vowed that they would do their best to convert their solid training base into an impressive result. "Our objective is simple," he said. "We are aiming for the best possible result." The Hansa Powerade Fish river canoe marathon takes place in Cradock on 1 and 2 October. More information can be found at www.fishmarathon.org.za Past results of the crew's individual achievements: Quenton Bonnetain Loïc Vynisale
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