The approach to the upstream is really the crucial factor. Each upstream has an ideal approach angle. Rather than going directly from the gate before the up to the upstream gate, there is a point that you need to go to between the gates and then turn and head to the upstream.
Most beginning racers do not have the correct approach to upstreams. In most upstreams, you need to approach from the side, coming across at it, not heading straight down, and then having to turn the boat 180 degrees to go back up through it. It is worth paddling out of your way on the approach to an upstream because you make up the time in the upstream itself.
The exception to the wide approach is for upstreams with strong upstream currents in them, such as are frequently found in artificial courses. Then, sometimes it is better to be heading more downstream on the approach so the boat doesn't get spun out on the eddy line and lose speed.
Interestingly, in watching Daniele Molmenti's Olympic run, there are several ups that he approaches with a stroke on the upstream side before the duffek, rather than a sweep and then a duffek. I think this is because the gate is deep in the eddy and doing a stroke on the outside of the turn would have spun the boat out on the eddy line, rather than allowing the boat to go deep into the eddy before turning.
The traditional kayak upstream gate is to do a sweep to initiate the turn, then a duffek and slice the duffek forward to a forward stroke. Then, plant a stroke just above the gateline to exit the gate and be angled out towards the current and exit with a duffek on the downstream side.
However, at the 1996 Olympics, Olympic champion Oliver Fix did a marvelous job on an upstream gates by coming at it from the side, "stuffing" the gate and not doing a duffek, but a stroke on the outside of the turn which took him up through the gate, then exiting. A 1 stroke upstream. Part of the key to his fast upstream was his approach. Most of the boaters were already pointed towards the upstream as they went through the down before it. However, Oliver Fix's boat was pointed straight downstream through the down and he turned after it and headed towards the up. That gave him a wider approach and less downstream momentom on the approach, so he was able to make it through the gate on a single stroke.
The videos of Daniele Molmenti on you tube show a wide approach to the gate, then pivoting on a duffek or even a stern rudder and then exiting the gate on the same stroke, like a c-1 upstream. No sweep on the outside of the turn is necessary usually in his examples. I would point out that he has a very wide approach towards the up and he is a very fast and strong paddler which helps him to make this move so well.
In contrast to the tight pivot turns, many time world champion Richard Fox used to emphasize keeping up the speed of the boat in upstreams and not pivoting normally because it slowed down the boat speed. However, the modern higher poles have made the way for tighter turns and more head movement around the inside pole and more pivots on upstream gates.
On upstreams, it is sometimes useful to reach a little further than normal to reach above the gateline to plant your sweep for the exit. If your sweep is downstream of the gate, you won't be able to do a duffek to exit the gate on the next stroke, so you'll end up doing 2 extra strokes on the exit, which is about 2 seconds slower. Approach from the side, go a little wide into the pocket before you turn and then do your duffek and slice the paddle forward to get a little more stroke on the inside of the turn. Then, you will be in a position to plant the paddle upstream of the gate for your exit sweep on the way out.
Should you go deep into the eddy before turning on an upstream (pocket it) or just come in close with the bow upstream of the stern and wind around the inside pole ("stuff it") ? Well, it varies. First, see if there is a good eddy to pocket. Sometimes there is current flowing downstream through the gate and there isn't anything good to catch with your duffek. On the other hand, sometimes there is a quick upstream current that you will want to catch a ride on with your duffek. Sometimes it is faster to take a shorter line and other times, it is more important to keep the boat speed up.
Each upstream is unique. Find the best way to approach each upstream. The best way to approach an upstream is usually not determined by the gate before it. Ask yourself- if there was no gate before it, what would be the fastest way to do this up. Then, try to get on that line. Most beginning boaters are not on the ideal line in approaching ups. Watch the top racers and they will usually know the best way to approach each up.
Thank you for your comment and for the link to the canoeslalomworld site. Excellent link for technique videos and explanation. Much better than my blog.
Yes, I remember Peter Keane, and I particularly remember the late Martin Hedges, who finished 4th in the Bala Worlds in '81.
Again, thanks for commenting on upstream gates.
Posted by: Ron Lugbill | 11/02/2012 at 12:49 PM
I think people visiting here will enjoy reading Dan Goddard's (British Team C1 & C2 paddler) very informative disection of the approach to an upstream gate here:- http://www.canoeslalomworld.com/news/403/upstream_gates_in_canoe_slalom_part_1 as this sets out more clearly the "J" line you effectively refer to when you mention a point you need to go to between the gates.
Your final comment above, essentially suggesting that you should not be mislead by the location of the gate directly above the upstream is a very important one.
Incidentally, I was one of those who saw Jon win "Bala '81" - and saw you finish 5th :-) Although I have to confess I was supporting fellow countrymen Peter Keane of course (7th).
As expected, a good blog :-)
Posted by: Peter Parker | 11/02/2012 at 12:23 AM