Ana Satila is pleased with the start she has made to 2016 after winning the under-23 K1 title with a sixth-place finish in the final at the Australian Open on Saturday.
 
The Brazilian executed a clean run down the technical Penrith course to finish 9.27 seconds behind Austrian Corinna Kuhnle who won in 98.33.
 
Satila was happy to get her “first” race win ahead of Jessica Fox who has dominated the under-23 age group in recent years.
 
“It is always good when you race well and have a good result,” Satila said.
 
“I am pretty happy with my final and the first in under-23s, it was such a good race.”
 
2016 looks set to be a big year for the Brazilian as her home country prepares to host the Olympic Games in August.
 
“I am really excited about the Olympics in Rio so I am just waiting for this, Rio is ready and it is pretty cool.”

Satila decided to commence her Olympic preparations in Australia as it reminds her of Brazil.
 
“Here is an amazing place and I have a lot of good memories from here,” Satila said.
 
“Just like Brazil it's always hot, it is a good course and I like to be here for the Australian Open as it is always a good experience.”
 
When reflecting on 2015, it is the experiences that Satila encountered that she thinks helped her progress as a paddler the most, and she hopes to gain many more this year.
 
“The experiences were the most important thing for me last year, being in the World Cup final in Pau, this was really amazing for me as it was a big experience.”
 
“I just want to focus on training now and getting the experience and doing my best every day.”
 
Satila will remain in Australia to compete at the Oceania Championships from 19 to 21 February.