Australia is a regular winter training destination for northern hemisphere Canoe Slalom athletes. This year too, many of them have flown Down Under to start their season.
Some of them, including Paris 2024 medallists, took part in the Oceania Championships last month and even grabbed their first set of medals but that was not it.
The first of the 2025 International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Championships pre-event training was held at the Penrith Whitewater Stadium from January 28 to February 1.
Seventy athletes from 15 National Federations tried and tested the waters at the Sydney 2000 Olympic venue, which will host the ICF flagship event for the discipline in October this year.
The session presented a fantastic opportunity for athletes to test the course where world champions will be crowned in eight months, and athletes including Czechia’s Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion Jiri Prskavec are relishing the chance.
“After the Olympic Games and the long 2024 season, athletes needed a longer break than usual,” he said.
“We did some skiing and high-altitude training in the mountains before moving to Penrith.
“With the World Championships happening in October, this is a necessary training session in Australia.”
His compatriots Amalie Hilgertova and Lukas Rohan also found the experience enjoyable.
“It’s just great to have the opportunity to paddle every day at the Penrith course with great conditions,” said Rohan, a C1 silver medallist in Japan.
“I love this place and it’s one of my favourite places for slalom.
“The opportunity to practice every day at the place where the World Championships will be held is a huge motivation and hopefully an advantage for the biggest race of this season.”
Having decided to stay away from the water for longer than usual in the off-season, Rohan is excited to be back.
Aware of how difficult it is to make it to the Czech team for the World Championships, the 29-year-old is ready to give it his all.
Hilgertova also expressed her delight in getting to know the course, which she calls a second home.
“I love the course,” she said.
“We used to come here every winter before COVID-19.
“My race season last year wasn’t very eventful.
“I enjoyed working on my technique over the summer, and I plan to work on that here as well. Some stopper-crossing and playing with the edges.”
Switzerland’s Dimitri Marx, who missed out on the Olympic Games last year, spoke about how crucial it is to know all the specific features of Penrith.
Among the many athletes who tried a different sport during the off-season, the 26-year-old wants to work on his consistency and mental preparedness for big races.
“It is important to spend as much time as possible on this course before the World Championships,” said Marx.
“As I missed the Olympics, I see the worlds as revenge and a good opportunity to show what I can do.”
Planning to be on her Marx is Dimitri’s sister Alena, who represented her nation in Paris.
Racing in canoe, kayak, and kayak cross, the European champion feels this training session is very valuable and hopes she finds the time to train in all boats.
With two weeks of vacation and time dedicated to studies, Alena is keen to learn new skills and strengthen the ones she already has.
“I look forward to the upcoming competitions and the challenges that come with them,” she said.
“I see the coming year as a great opportunity to take time to practice new things, try out different approaches, and gain new experiences both in the boat and in the mental aspect.
“I am looking forward to the season and hope to deliver and improve my performance, especially at the season's highlight — the World Championships in Australia.”
The second official training for the World Championships will take place from September 20 to 24.
There are plenty of ICF world ranking events and competitions taking place around the world before the first World Cup of the season in La Seu, Spain, in June.
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