Sixth Place Finish for WA’s Kayak Boys

WAIS athletes Stephen Bird and Jesse Phillips performed an exceptional race to finish sixth in the men’s K2 200m final at Eton Dorney.

The young duo, who both competed at their first Games in London, raced from lane 8 and started well as the paddles were flying in all directions.

They were just back from medal contention and crossed the line in a time of 35.315, just under a second shy of the bronze medal position. Russia won gold ahead of Belarus and Great Britain.

Bird and Phillips, who had produced their best international finish in world cup 3 this year with a bronze medal, were still overjoyed with their achievements in London.

“We are very happy with that,” Bird said. “Coming off our heat and semi yesterday we really wanted to improve on our performance. It’s been a long four years and we’re really happy.”

Phillips said the pair reassessed after making the final.

“We had to change our race tactic,” Phillips said. “It’s a huge occasion and it got ahead of us a little bit. We started over rating and our efficiency dropped yesterday and we were lucky to make the final.

“Overnight we consolidate our past performances and we’re stoked to be so close to the medals.”

WAIS athlete Alana Nicholls was the only other Australian to race on the final day of competition, contesting the B Final of the women’s K1 200m.

Nicholls, who was desperately unlucky to be edged out of the final by just three hundredths of a second yesterday, finished 8th in the B Final but has already stated her desire to get back on the water and begin to work towards the Rio Games.