Flash Quotes

Day 5 - 23rd August 2015 

Kenny Wallace (AUS) Men's K1 5000m Finals – Gold

"It’s always going to be tough with Max. he’s an endurance animal that just keeps going and going. One day he is really going to hang on and just go for it. That was quite a tough 5k race. At one stage there were five of us and you can’t really drop the pace down when there are so many of us in the one circle and with Rene there and Aleh. They are both really strong paddlers. So I was kind of holding off and waiting to see if he would go and I held off until the 190 to go. In previous times it’s been 300m or so but it changes. So that’s a big day, doing the 500. Going from K2, having a guy that’s sitting behind me and pushes me along when I get tired I dint have him this time so it was pretty tough."

"That’s four out of the last five World Championships in this I’ve won. That’s three consecutive and I think it’s 11 consecutive international wins."

Sebastian Brendel (GER) Men's C1 5000m Finals – Gold

"There were not so many tactics."

"I was first on the first turn and we missed one buoy in the starting blocks and must go a little bit backwards and everybody passed us. I tried to take them one by one and it was very hard to get back."

"One lap before the end I thought we had finished the, I didn’t see any counter, so I said I must go a little bit faster the last round."

Josef Dostal (CZE) Men's K4 1000 A Final – Bronze (2014 champions)

"We had a good start, got off to a good pace pushing nicely for the first 150. The finish was not so good, the feeling of the boat was not smooth and there were a few waves and the rhythm of the boat wasn’t how we usually train. When we started to the finish we just increased our stroke rate and it was better. "

"Next time we need to use more power from the beginning and in the end increase the stroke rate with the power.
This is an Olympic pre regatta, qualification for Rio so we didn’t win but we will prepare better and go for the Olympics with calmer heads."

Erion de Souza Silva ( w/Quieros Do Santos, BRA) Men's C2 1000 A Final – Gold

“I am very happy because I won the bronze medal in C1 and now a gold medal in C2, and the 1000 is not my specialty. We have been training together for only three months for the Pan American Games and for now."

"I am very happy because I will paddle at home in the Rio and I really want to win a medal for Brazil next year."

Erik Vlcek (SVK) Men's K4 1000 A Final – Gold

“I’m so happy because we just started to paddle with these two young guys earlier in the season. It just came from an experiment to try the young guys together with the old guys and I think the chemistry is perfect in the boat. It’s beautiful to win the World Champs especially in the prestigious K4 1000m.  This is a really hard race, every country wants to show they have the four best guys in one best boat and I’m so happy that today we are the best.”

Kenny Wallace (w/Lachlan Tame, AUS) Men K2 500m A Final – Gold

“That was great. The 500 is always going to be tough.  It’s half the distance of the 1000 but it feels like it’s twice as hard sometimes.  You basically get one move in that, you go hard then you try and go harder."

"I’ve got another 5km of racing yet so it’s going to be tough that one this afternoon having been in the K2 all week and then trying to go back in the single.”

Martin Fuksa (CZE) Men's C1 500m A Final – Gold

“It’s perfect, my first World Championships title so I’m very happy.  Wind was very strong but I had a lot of energy to finish and I won, so it’s perfect. The plan for the race was easy, I wanted to win.”

Erika Medveczky (HUN) Women's K1 1000m A Final – Gold

“It was very good because I like this headwind and I just feel I’m very strong.  The first 700m I just go enough, not too strong, because I hope that the other competitors go too fast and they can’t make this, so I’m very happy."

"I won this in 2013 so to win it back is very good. I like the K1 competitions because it is just for me.”

Ivan Shtyl (w/Alexey Korovashkov, RUS) Men's C2 200m A Final – Gold

“It was a good race now looking forward to next year at the Olympics in Brazil with my partner here.”

Staniliya Stamenova (BUL) Women C1 200m 'A' Final – Gold

“Really happy to win gold because this is my first world championships title and it’s the first time I have beaten the Canadian, so I’m really happy.

"After winning the Europeans this makes it the best year his year.  I have had some problems with my shoulders but maybe this motivated me to train harder and harder.”

Lisa Carrington (NZL) Women's K1 200m A Final – Gold

“I guess I don’t necessarily to win gold medals but it is a pleasure to race against such a strong field and all the girls are awesome and working hard so it’s real nice to be part of t great group.

"I race for a great performance and the gold medal is the end of whatever outcome that is."

Mark De Jonge (CAN) Men K1 200m A Final – Gold

“It feels pretty good because it is so close between the top three of us here the entire season, so lining up next to them was a little daunting.  I tried to focus on what I had to do and right off the start I had a bit of a lead so I was able to just keep pretty cool for the race. The plan was to kill it the first 50 because I know I’m pretty good after that.” 

Jon Boyton (GBR) Men K1 500m C Final – 1st place

“I hit a bit of a funny wash in the semi and was a little bit unlucky to miss out in the B, but it was great racing in the C Final today and it’s something to build on for next year.  This season I made B finals and the A final at Baku, which is a big step up.”

Henriette Hansen (DEN) Women's K4 500m B Final - 1st place
“I'm sad because we didn’t reach the final yesterday but we are really happy with this result. On a scale from one to ten (for happiness) we are pretty high up there. We know we are next in line for a quota for the Rio Olympics.  That’s so important.”

Felix Landes (GER) Men’s K4 500m B Final - 1st place

“We wanted to compete in the A Final and now we won the B final that’s the best possible so it’s ok.  Now it’s impossible for us to be in Rio for the Olympic Games because the best six European boats qualify, so maybe Tokyo.”

Day 4 - 22nd August 2015 Canoe Sprint 

Dalma Ruzicic Benedek (SRB) Women's K4 500 semifinal 1 – 2nd place

"We are very happy to be in the final because this is a very new crew, this is our first year.  Me and my K2 partner had a silver in the K2 500.  We really wanted to get to the final so we can fight for the qualification and we are really happy it materialised." 

Rachel Cawthorn (GBR) Women's K4 500 semifinal 2 – 1st place

"We were just there to put down our first race and hope that would be enough to get in the final, so this is a bonus. It’s awesome. A really good job by everyone."

Dalma Ruzicic Benedek (SRB) women's K4 500 semifinal 1 – 2nd place

"We are very happy to be in the final because this is a very new crew, this is our first year. Me and my K2 partner had a silver in the K2 500. We really wanted to get to the final so we can fight for the qualification and we are really happy it materialised."

Jacob Clear (AUS) Men's K4 1000 semifinal heat 1 – 1st place

"Coming here we were definitely looking for a top ten qualifying finish, and now we’re in the final it’s whoever is feeling the best on the day. Anyone can take it out of all nine crews."

"We were at Moscow last year where we got tenth and won the B final so it’s good we’ve had a step up from last year."

"It’s great to get in the A final. Now we can focus on the final so it’s less than 24 hours to turn it around now and give it another crack."

Aliksandr Bahdanovich (w/Andrei Bahdanovich) (BLR) Men's C2 1000 semifinal 1 - 3rd place

"We got the job done and came third. It’s been a good season but a long one and we are quite tired but it’s still not finished and we want to qualify for the Olympic Games."

Paracanoe

Susan Seipel (AUS) Women’s VL2 200m – Gold

"It feels amazing to be World Champion and I’m really happy. I havent been woring as much in the V as I have in the K so i’m so glad I got it."

"I focussed on my lane and keeping straight because it is challengeing with the wind so I couldn’t see anyone else."

"It's great to have so many medallists inthe team and they’re all so supportive so it’s been a fantastic week."

"So happy to come over the line first."

"First gold medal, first medal on Wednesday"

Tom Kiery (GER) Men’s KL3 200m A Final – Gold

"It’s amazing and a gerat comeback from the last year when I was a little bit depressed. This year we worked hard on the last hundred metres and on my body weight and now it works."

"The race was like a deep black tunnel but I only knew when i got close to the British guy after 100 metres that I had a chance to win and I did it."

"What’s next? You can ask everybody in the A final and we all want gold. we train for this medal and that’s the next step."

Rob Oliver (GBR), Men’s KL3 200m – Silver

"This has been a fantastic year, my first year of being a 100 percent full time athlete and I’m just glad it’s paid off."

"I was fifth last year and was nowhere in the Euros and now I won the Euros and to be second I’ve just seen a massive progression, and to have caught up a second on those guys was a massive achievement."

"Breaking 40 was a massive thing I wanted to do. This year’s big goal, rather than a place, was that 40."

"I feel like I’ve absolutely smashed it and I’ve got nothing left."

"I put everything in and I gave a little roar with 20 to go to spur me on."

Jeanette Chippington (GBR), Women’s KL1 – Gold

"That’s title number one and the toughest one so far. I am so relieved, that was a real tough one. I was lying in second position after the heat and when you feel that world championship medla ios goping to possibly slip through your grasp it puts a lot of pressure on you."

"I am so, so pleased."

"We have a great team and we have backing so that is taken care of. Now it’s going to be that mental preparation and work on the end of my race but that’s what to expect going into a Paralympic Games, the pressure is going to be up there sp it’s whoever handles it the best."

"It’s no different from swimming, that pressure before your race is exactly the same."

"The mental preparation is just the same as swimming."

Edina Muller (GER), Women’s KL1 – Silver

"This was my first really big competition – I made second place at the European Championships this year – and I got a little closer this time so maybe next time will be a gold. I don’t know but I’m going to work on that."

"The most important thing was qualification for Rio next year and we got that."

"That’s was my first World Championship; I trained all winter through the ice and snow and this is kind of the reward for that so it sounds really good."

Raiza Ribiero Benivides (BRA), Women’s VL2 200m – Silver

"Today I am very happy because this is my first medal in a World Championships and I’m really happy because my father is here with me and he taught me how to be an athlete and how to be professional."

"Never been to a world championships and I’m very proud because I hadn’t been training in this kind of canoe so to win a medal is much more than I expected."

"I want to be a part of the Brazilian team in Rio next summer so I will train as hard as I can now because I know that the level is high".

Canoe Sprint

Rene Holen Polsen (DEN) Men's K1 500m semifinal - 1st place

"I'm pleased, of course I'd like to have the perfect feeling. It's hard on this course, you start in a tailwind, finish with a headwind so I think this is a pure power course, you need to have pure power to go fast here."

"I feel like it's just another World Championship, I'm going for the same things I usually would."

"I am in better shape than usual as I was ready for K1 and K2 1000m, unfortunately we go disqualified from the K2. It was a downer as we were going really, really, really well and we both would have liked to have showed that to everybody."

Carlos Tacchini (ITA) Men's C1 500m semifinal - 2nd place

"I'm pretty fast in the first part of the race. I did what I could and I think that was enough."

"Sebastian [Brendel] is one of the best, also the Russian is good. There was some pressure being at home in Milan but I think I did good so Im kind of happy with that."

"It's my first senior worlds, I'm just 20 so I have lots of time to improve, I'm happy to reach my first final."

Ken Wallace (w/Lachlan Tame, AUS) Men’s K2 500 heat 3 – 1st place

"We are really happy with our performance just then, we were going out there to run through the motions and get ready for tomorrow’s K2 1000m final so it’s just another race practice another start of the race. We don’t go out too much slower in the first 500 of a 1000 than what we did then so it’s good to get the more races under the belt the better."

"Venue is great but it’s just a bit bumpy with the concrete walls and there’s little bits of weed in the course but the sun’s out and any time the sun’s out it’s good. The water is clear, you can see the bottom, so the venue is great."

"We definitely want to win – K2 1000 is the main event to get a quota for Australia at the Olympics and we are through to the final of that which is the main thing. There’s the K1 5000 at the end of the regatta for me, then I will have dine ten straight now and this will be my third World Championships in a row if I win. I’m going for my third."

"I feel a lot more relaxed the older I get."

Alexander Dyachenko (w/Yuri Postragay, RUS) Men’s K2 500 heat 2 – 1st place

"It was a good race but a training race because second is semi final and it’s training."

"200 is our main race. We want to win the 200 but it’s a race and tomorrow we will see."

"The German and Serbian team (main opponents) but the whole final is good people."

Tom Liebscher (GER) Men’s K1 500m heat 4 – 1st place

"It was really hard the first race over 500m as our focus is on K2 200 so I didn’t train much the 500m. But after Saturday I have to focus only on the K1 and then it will be better."

"We have had a training camp in Munich on the same water and conditions as here so the German team is very well prepared for the Worlds."

"Last year in the Moscow we took the second place in the K2 200m, which was a bit disappointing because we won this whole season in K2, so we have worked hard to defend against the Serbians this time and take the first place."

Aleksey Mochalov (UZB), Men’s K1 500m heat 2 –2nd place

"I was second and I feel good. I hope that on the 500m I will go to the A Final because yesterday was a little bit difficult, in the 1000, and I want to be first at 500. In Moscow I was first in final B at 500."

Rachel Cawthorn (GBR), Women’s K4 1000m heat 1

"It's working really well, the girls team are getting some really strong early results so it’s looking promising."

"We’ve had a push on in this K4 and we all look out for each other so it’s really cool when you actually come into racing. We are a real proper team and we all support each other."

"K1 has been good. It’s good to see after yesterday’s racing where I am now and I’m pleased that the training I have been doing is got that extra second out so I’m really looking forward to the final tomorrow."

Peter Kretschmer (GER), Men’s C2 1000m (w Michael Muller) heat 3 – 1st place

"This is the first race at the first Worlds for us. We competed in the World Cups in Duisburg and Copenhagen so we knew we are fast. The waves of the other boats are very strong so it’s good that it was such a clear race."

"We want a place for Rio, everybody wants that and we want to win a medal."

"Since London 2012 Ive much better, and I think Michael is stronger than Kurt."

Sarah Guyot women’s K1 200m heat 5 – 1st place

"This year I hope to be third place and have a medal."

"What has happened in the season doesn’t mean that people will be the best in the Worlds. All the results do not necessarily give you a good idea of my level."

Norma Murabito (ITA) women’s K1 200m heat 4 – 6th place

"I’m very emotional racing at home, also because it’s the first World Championships here in Milan and the first race has helped me to relax. Having my family and friends here all supporting me helps."

Marta Walczykiewicz (POL) women’s K1 200m heat 2 – 1st place

"It’s very difficult for me because its early and i like the start in the afternoon. But it’s not perfect race but for me is ok, maybe tomorrow will be better."

"The water is ok but it’s very weedy so hopefully they clean it tomorrow."

"The water and wind is ok so we will see tomorrow."

"My season now is ok, this race is very important for me and I want to make the qualification to Rio but the girls are very fast so we’ll see."

Lisa Carrington (NZL) women’s K1 200m heat 1 - 1st place

"It’s been good, it’s always slightly nerve wracking at the start of a regatta through the heats and semis so it’s good that it’s nice and hot and everybody is nice and prepared for these World Champs. Everyone is going nice and fast especially as it’s qualifying."

"This week I’m just looking for some good performances, so hopefully I can reach my potential this week, that’s all I can hope for."

Laurenc Vincent-Lapointe (CAN) women’s C1 heat 1 - 1st place

"I’m happy to have done the first heat, I’m not so happy with what I did. It was fast but I felt I could have been better."

"I spent a lot of time this summer with my national team coach. We did a training camp right before the Pan American Games then training camp again until now, so I’ve done as much as I could."

"World Cups went really well, I won every race so it couldn’t have been better."

"This year I hope to do under 46. It depends on the weather, it’s not the best, it’s a side wind and a bit front, so it’s not fast but I think it’s good conditions. If I do under 46 I think I could come first again. My record is 46.419 which is a world record."

Mark De Jonge (CAN) men’s K1 heat 2 – 1st place

"It’s good to finally race. We’ve been in France the week before we came here and we spent the week just waiting to race. It’s good to finally get it underway and I’m pretty excited about the semi."

"It would be pretty nice (to win back to back) and if I can have my good race I’ll be right up there. It depends what other people are doing this time of the season. I think I have the potential to win, I did it last year, had a really good world cup season and now I’ll put it all together."

"We found a lot of improvements over the last few years and we have found a formula that works really well."

Ed McKeever (GBR) men’s K1 heat 3 – 1st place

"You are always a bit nervous coming into your first race but it’s good to go and get it out of the way. I’m happy with how the training camp has gone, feeling strong and feel I’ve got lot more to give so we’ll go and see what I can do tomorrow and Sunday."

"Obviously you got out there and you are still Olympic Champion for the next year and that’s the one everyone wants to win and these World Championships are certainly a stepping stone towards that."

Day 2 - 20th August 2015 Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe

Paracanoe

Curtis McGrath (AUS) Men’s KL2 200 A Final – Silver

"It wasn’t the same as the heat but it was great conditions so there were no excuses on my behalf. Well done to the other guys."

"We had to adapt quickly to the kayak to try and get in the Paralympics and I’m glad we’ve now got the quota so it’s a nice feeling."

"I only started out last year with performance so this is my second Worlds, so it’s all fairly new, especially with a different course from last year but it has been good."

"I know there’s always improvement to be made.  Ken Wallace (3x World Champion 1X Olympic Champion Canoe Sprint) is there so maybe try and catch him."

Luis C.Cardoso Da Silva (BRA) Men’s KL1 200 A Final - Gold

"I’m extremely happy, so happy I don’t even know how to describe how I feel now."

"I thought I had the potential to win this race today and I fought very, very hard to get this result."

"Some days somebody has to win, some days somebody has to lose.  Today I won."

Anne Dickins (GBR) Women’s KL3 200 A Final – SILVER

"It’s one up from the heats which is good. I had a better race than my heats so I’m really pleased with that. I had to refocus yesterday when I flipped the paddle in my heat so that was as big black cloud hanging over my head and it takes a lot to come into a World Championship final with that in the back of your mind.  So I was really pleased that wasn't an issue."

"It’s like someone is here to test me. There was a big clump of weed on my bucket and I pulled back and called out but they just said go forward.  I told myself I either power through it or I don’t finish and I know this race is really important because it's a Paralympic qualifier.

"I was so cross and I got for me a good start but then I don’t know if it was the weed or the adrenalin, I just went boom and had a massive wobble right at the end otherwise I might have got it."
 

"I’m still new and still learning and every race is a fantastic learning curve so bring on the next one which will hopefully be a step closer to where we want to be."

Canoe Sprint 

Nicola Ripamonti / Giulio DressinoMen’s K2 1000 Heat 4 – 2nd place

(Dressino)"Today was pretty good for the climate and temperature of water and for the good feeling with the boat, but it has been the first race of our World Championships and it is so hard for arms and legs but in the afternoon we usually feel better so in the semi finals we hope to go the best."

"We heard during the race a big crowd that were shouting for us and they gave us much more power. It was the power of full voice from the side of the lake.  We hope it will get bigger like in an Olympic race."

"We hope to qualify in the best six Saturday, that would be the best thing. I don’t think for the podium but for the final six."

"Best result was in Baku at the Europe Games, we have done the games best record, 3.08, in the semi finals and we arrived fifth in the fifth. It was also the Italian record and it was the first race we have done in K1."

"We train in Mantova which is two hours by car from here.

This is one of the best places in the world for climate and conditions."

Martin Fuksa (CZE) Men’s C1 1000 Heat 2 – 1st place

Teva Mooria (Tahiti) Men’s K1 1000 Heat 1 –  8th place

"I was selected to compete here two months ago.  In Tahiti we don’t have K1 so I usually practise surfski.  So I leant to paddle the K1 this week in two days. But it’s a good experience for our country, a good start and we can give the younger paddlers the experience here."

"I paddled as hard as I can do."

"K1 is more unstable and in surfski you work with the waves.  I’m 42, too old to participate in the next championships but I want to encourage the two young guys with me." 

"We have a team of three here but the others are 27 and 32." 

Bridgitte Hartley (RSA) Women’s K1 500 Heat 3

"It’s always good to get the first race done because I’m always so nervous and especially now in an Olympic qualifying year.  More reason to have more nerves because there’s a lot more pressure."

"At the same time I know we have a lot of heats and I know at the semifinals the level will step up and that’s the most important race today."

"I didn't really expect to get a bronze medal last year but I was super chuffed to get that, so I don’t want to put pressure on myself because of that.  It’s a new year, new season and everyone could have improved.  For now its taking every race as it comes."

Artuur Peters (BEL) Men’s K1 1000m Heat (1st – beat Hoff) 

"It was a good race but still not 100 percent."

"Last year I was the Junior World Champion, now I’ve got to the high level and it’s a good start.  This is my first senior Worlds."

"It’s quite unbelievable to be here, I’m just 18 and I love it. This was the first time I finished ahead of max and it feels good.  I didn’t expect to win."

"I did two Worlds Cups this year, Duisburg 3rd in B Final and Copenhagen and 3rd in A Final."

"My sister (Hermien Peters) is competing here in the K2W 500."

"The A final would be really great but we’ll see because the top seven are selected for Rio."

Anna Karasz (HUN) Women’s K1 500 heat 3

"I’m really happy with my heat.  For the first race it’s always very hard for me so whether it's nationals or anything international."

"Now I’m more calm and more pleased and looking forward to the semifinals."

"My preparation this year was very special because everything has been perfect – my winter training from spring in the water.  So I think I have found the harmony in everything."

DAY 1 - 19th August 2015 Paracanoe 

Caio Ribeiro De Carvalho (Bra) Men’s VL3 GOLD

"I’m happy. It was keeping my head straight, I was very upset that the Va was taken out of the Paralympics, it really broke my heart. I was able to overcome that defeat."

"What changed (since winning title in 2013) my coach (Sena?) he really made a difference for me to keep me well trained. At the equipment, that makes a big part of helping us win."

"When I kicked at the end I ended up kicking and looking and I realised when I had crossed first it was more than overwhelming, being able to celebrate. This is for Brazil."

"Last year I lost my title and I was focussed on getting my title back, so thank you Brazil. Thank you to the ICF and I hope to see the Va, the outrigger in 2020."

Luis C Cardoso Da Silva (Bra) Men’s VL1 200m GOLD

"I am very happy because last year I won this race so it was good to win it again."

"I haven’t improved the Va-a too much because, as my goal is the Paralympic Games in Rio for kayak, have been paddling in kayak also and I train a lot in kayak but I am very happy for this win."

(30 years old and from Sal Paolo, paddling since 2002)

Luis C Cardoso da Silva (BRA) Men’s VL1 200m GOLD

"I'm happy. It was keeping my head straight, I was very upset that the Va was taken out of the Paralympics, it really broke my heart.  I was able to overcome that defeat."

"What changed (since winning title in 2013) my coach he really made a difference for me to keep me well trained.  At the equipment, that makes a big part of helping us win."

"When I kicked at the end I ended up kicking and looking and I realised when I had crossed first it was more than overwhelming, being able to celebrate.  This is for Brazil."

"Last year I lost my title and I was focussed on getting my title back, so thank you Brazil. Thank you to the ICF and I hope to see the Va, the outrigger in 2020."

Markus Mendy Swoboda (AUT) KL2 200m semifinal quote:

"My heat was a bit of a problem but the semifinal I used to get more rythym for the race, so it was really nice to be so far in the front like I used to."

"This year’s competition is hard and I’m happy about it."

"I was so happy when they changed it to the K1. It’s a pity for other V1 athletes who were preparing only for the V1 events but I’m lucky to come from the K1 events."

"It’s made it harder. Curtis from Australia won my heat in the morning. It was pretty close but he was in front and that makes the competition a lot harder."

"I haven’t been doing a lot of V1 training because it’s hard to find, especially in a small country like Austria, people to train with. I stayed in the K1 of the physique and only did special training in the V1. Now I cancelled this and did the special training in the K1."

Emma Wiggs (GBR) Women’s KL2 Gold

"Today was all about qualifying a boat for  Great Britain for Rio, so it’s not about individual performances.  But I’m absolutely delighted with my performance and Nikki, my teammate came in a fraction behind me for second is just the icing on the cake."

"Ultimately our goal was to qualify a boat so really excited to do that for Britain."

"I get to train with her every day so I know we are neck and neck and there’s only really one stroke in it most of the time. We always know it’s going to be nip and tuck. She’s a phenomenal athlete and its lucky that we can push each other so we can be on top of the world." 

"I think I’m looking a bit stronger and the programme has got stronger."  

"By continuing to work hard, that’s the bonus of having a great team, we just have to push each other all the way and whichever one goes the other one knows they have pushed them."