Western Australia’s Rio Olympic kayak hopefuls sharpened their preparations over the weekend at the WA Sprint Canoe State Championships at Champion Lakes.
With key events set to be contested at February’s Adelaide GP2 and the March National Championships in Perth – there was a strong sense of occasion, with several athletes posting times that rivalled their best.
London Olympian Alana Nicholls had race wins in the K1 200m and 500m, with both set in quick time, showing she is reaching top form, following a series a minor injury niggles over the start of the domestic summer.
Stephen Bird and Jesse Phillips – who were finalists in the K2 200m at the 2012 Olympics combined to win the state title in the event, with fellow WAIS athlete Sam McTigue and former scholarship athlete Lee Davey in second place.
Bird was particularly impressive in winning the men’s K1 200m race – in the second fastest time he has ever produced over the distance. Phillips was second, with WAIS athlete and Australian representative paddler Brodie Holmes third.
With the K1 200m position set to be the only specialist seat in the Australian men’s squad for the Rio Games, WAIS head coach Ramon Andersson said Bird had set down an early marker of intent.
“Steve showed that he will again be the man to beat in the upcoming selection races and was impressive in setting his second fastest time ever,” Andersson said.
Andersson also noted the development of South Australian paddler Cat McArthur and WAIS scholarship athlete Jaime Roberts in the women’s K2 500m event.
“Jaime and Cat showed great synchronicity in the K2 500 to win in a sharp 1.46.6 (mins) which indicates they’ll be very competitive at GP2 and Nationals.”
GP2 at West Lakes takes on greater context for the Australian sprint canoe team, with the event merging as the Oceania Championships, lending the opportunity to qualify boats which Australia has yet to secure for Rio. This includes the women’s K1 200, 500 and K2 500m.
As the count down to the national championships and selection trials in Perth in March draws near, Andersson and his WAIS squad will later this week converge for a training camp at Perisher Valley, affording the group excellent training facilities at altitude – as they prepare to be at their best and fastest for the home national championship campaign at Champion Lakes that will ultimately decide the make-up of Australia’s 2016 sprint canoe Olympic Team.
