The national canoe slalom junior team was announced on Sunday following the conclusion of the Australian Open in Penrith.
Western Australian athletes have dominated this year’s team selection with Ascot Kayak Club paddler Nina Mueller set to make her maiden appearance after some standout performances at the Australian Slalom Championships and at the Australian Open.
Mueller produced some outstanding results in Tasmania and although she may not have gotten the results that she had hoped for in Penrith she is excited by the prospect of racing on the junior team this year.
“The last few days have not been great racing for me but I was super proud of my results in Tassie and I think that has helped me get through the last few days,” Mueller said.
“I am very excited. I do not have to higher goals, I think my aim will just to be to put down the best run that I can do and be as prepared as I can be.”
The 17-year-old K1 paddler enjoyed the challenge of racing against so many world class athletes that she admires but it is a local favourite that she draws the most inspiration from.
“I got coached by Ros (Lawrence) a few sessions before the race this week and she is definitely a real inspiration for me,” Mueller said.
With more than half of this year’s junior team made up of Western Australian athletes, Mueller believes that their success lies in their flatwater training.
“We do not get big water like this over there so I think that technically we are a really good team and I think that is probably where we sit ahead,” Mueller said.
Despite the program prospering from training on predominantly flatter water, Mueller is excited about a potential whitewater stadium being built in Perth.
“A course like this over in Perth would help our team improve so much because we all have to come over here before the race to get used to the real water and I think if we had that at home we would be a lot different and we would improve so much,” Mueller said.
The ICF Junior World Championships will be held in Krakow, Poland from the 13 to 17 July.
