WAIS kayakers Jesse Philips, Stephen Bird and Brodie Holmes have represented Australia at the ICF World Cup event in Racice, Czech Republic over the weekend.
The second leg of the ICF World Cup circuit was held in cold and blustery conditions, and marked the first international event for the West Australian trio for 2014.
Australian national champions Jesse Phillips and Stephen Bird combined in the men’s K2 200m and produced decent form to qualify for the A Final, held on Sunday.
The duo placed ninth in 33.170sec but was within striking distance of the four crews directly in front of them, up to the Canadian pair of Etienne Morneau and Hughes Fournel in fifth (32.859) in what was a blanket finish across the back half of the field.
The front of the race however was dominated by the German pair of Ronald Rauhe and Tom Liebscher who clocked a lightening fast 31.440 to leave the Olympic and World Champion duo of Yury Postrygay and Alexander Dyachenko from Russia in their wake (32.246). Bronze went to the French crew of Arnaud Hybois and Sebastien Jouve (32.340).
The win was the second consecutive at World Cup level for the Germans, who have now set the benchmark and assumed the mantle of team to beat for this year’s world champion title at the Championships held in Moscow in August. With the titles being held in Russia however, the reigning champions will not relinquish their crown without a fight.
Brodie Holmes’ international development continued in the men’s K1 200m, with the 28 year-old Sorrento resident qualifying for the B Final and finishing third in 36.982. The secondary final was won by fellow Australian Lachlan Tame (36.505) with second place going to Germany’s Jonas Ems (36.561).
Phillips, Bird and Holmes will all compete in this weekend’s World Cup 3 in Hungary.
