Western Australian Institute of Sport paddler Stephen Bird has become the first WA athlete to earn nomination onto the Australian Olympic Team for the 2016 Rio Olympic Games after winning the second selection event at the National Championships in Perth today.
Having won the first selection event in Adelaide last month, Bird knew that victory in this morning’s K1 200m final would secure his nomination to the Australian Olympic Committee for formal selection.
Despite a bout a pre-race nerves, Bird executed a typically professional race (34.81secs), to win ahead of the South Australian pairing of Callum Dunn (35.19) and Matt Goble (35.59). WAIS athletes; Brodie Holmes, Jesse Phillips and Todd Brewer finished fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.
“There’s a huge amount of relief, there’s been such an exhilarating build-up,” Bird said.
“I’ve always had the confidence once the gun goes, but up until then I’m bloody hopeless. I feel nerves just as much as everyone else, it’s quite a thing that goes on in my head before a race.
“I wouldn’t want to write it down, it would be a bit embarrassing,” Bird joked of his competition nerves.
Jaime Roberts’ selection hopes in the women’s K2 500m ended on day two, after the Queensland pair of Alyssa Bull and Alyce Burnett confirmed their Olympic nomination, with a win in an Australian record time of 1:40.49min.
NSW paddlers Jo Brigden-Jones and Naomi Flood were second (1:41.75) whilst Roberts, competing with SA’s Cat McArthur were third in 1:43.77.
The victory for the Queensland duo means that two of the available three women’s selection spots are now secured, with Brigden-Jones currently holding the upper hand for the individual berth, having won the K1 200m in Adelaide and Perth, and the K1 500m in Adelaide.
WAIS athlete Alana Nicholls can give selectors something to think about with victory in the K1 500 in Perth, with the selection criteria allowing the possibility of extending the selection trial period to the European World Cup series later in the year.
Nicholls progressed through the afternoon heats and will look to tackle the final on Friday.
Daniel Bowker enjoyed another successful day on the water to earn qualification for Friday’s final in the men’s K1 1000m, having earlier finished fourth in the final of K2 1000m in combination with Queensland’s Joel McKitterick.
A top four finish for Bowker in Friday’s individual final would advance his selection claims, with the final make-up of the men’s 1000m selections dependent on priority boats and combinations, which will ultimately go a long way towards determining final nominations in the K1, K2 and K4.
For a behind the scenes look at some of the action from Champion Lakes over the first two days of competition, follow WAIS on Instagram – @InsideWAIS
