Australian Slalom Season Set for International Test

Australia’s paddlers will have a challenging start to the 2011 season at this weekend’s Canoe/Kayak Slalom 2011 Australian Open at Penrith Whitewater Stadium, with a large international field on hand to test them.

This event marks the beginning of Australian team selections, and a gruelling 2011 season that will lead into the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

The international paddlers on hand include French Olympic gold medallist Tony Estanguet and silver medallist Fabien Lefevre, Slovakian Olympic gold medallist Elena Kaliska, and Austrian World Champion Corinna Kuhnle.

Western Australian Institute of Sport C1 and C2 paddler Robin Jeffrey has his sights set on this year’s World Championships and the 2012 Olympics, and is looking forward to the challenges that wait.

“If we get through then we’ve got the World Cup in Europe, and then Olympic qualifications in Slovakia. I want to be involved and qualify for C1 and C2 there,” Jeffery said.

“I’ve got a good base around me and good support. I’m still having fun and really enjoying what I am doing. Every day is a new challenge.”

Kate Lawrence, who is ranked first in Australia’s women’s K1 slalom team, said the ability to race with international paddlers will help her gauge where she stands on the international stage.

“It’s a good race with a good field. There’s so many international paddlers out here; it’s a good race in itself to see where I’m at,” she said after practice Wednesday.

“We’ve got the current World Champion and the previous World Champion out there, and I want to be in the mix with those guys.”

“It makes our selections a bit more competitive because there’s such a big and good international field out here,” said Australia’s current K1 champion, Will Forsythe.

“It distracts me a bit from selections because it allows me to look more at the world scene rather than what’s happening here in Australia.”

However, the athletes aren’t just focussed on this weekend. The Australian team selection and World Championships in Bratislava, Slovakia, are a key goal for this year in the lead up for the 2012 Olympics.

Lawrence said she is ultimately aiming to qualify for the only female spot in the Australian Olympic kayak slalom team.

“It’s pretty tough, but I’m training hard and working towards that,” she said.

“I missed out on an Olympic selection to my older sister Jacky [in Beijing 2008].

“I think having been through the disappointment of missing out last time, I’ll be pretty determined to get it this time around.”

Forsythe is also focussed on the rest of the season and 2012.

“I think I’m stronger than I’ve ever been and mentally better. I’m looking forward to applying what I’ve been doing in training into this year’s racing.”

Leanne Guinea, Ladies C1 World Cup silver medallist in 2010, said being in Australia is one of the key advantages in the build up to World Championships.

“We’re pretty lucky to be able to paddle all year round, as compared to the European countries. They spend quite a big portion of their winter out of the boats so maximal time on white water will help me.”