Bell Ready to Lift Pressure

Western Australia’s Robin Bell will compete in the C1 finals after finishing seventh in the heats yesterday at Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Stadium.

Bell who is competing in his third Olympics, recorded a time of 176.45secs and was just edged for sixth spot by reigning Olympic Champion Tony Estanguet of France.

In today’s semi finals, 12 paddlers will compete with eight to go through to the final with points carried over.

After winning gold in his final world cup event, Bell is unconcerned about his slow start to the competition.

“Tomorrow is a completely different race,” Bell told AAP.

“I don’t mind starting in one of the first runs and laying down a time, I almost prefer to do that.

“I race in front of the favourites and it’s not so bad setting up a time rather than racing against a time.

“Coming seventh, I know I have to pick my game up but that’s all right.

“I did back it off a bit physically today.”

Current world champion Michal Martikan of Slovakia qualified fastest with a time of 170.15secs, just ahead of German Jan Benzien.