Czech paddler Vit Prindis has won his first Australian Open K1 title after producing a fast run in the final at Penrith Whitewater Stadium.
 
The 26-year-old recorded the only sub 90-second time of 89.65 to finish 0.44 seconds ahead of London Olympic champion Daniele Molmenti with Peter Kauzer of Slovenia taking third.
 
“We did some hard sessions the past week in preparation for the race but I feel good,” Prindis said.
 
“I put down two good runs like I wanted to, the first one I had a little trouble at the last gate at the finish as I was thinking about different things and I touched it so I was super close to being out of the final but I am happy how it ended, I am the Australian open champion so it is good.”
 
The past few years Prindis has spent his pre-season training in Dubai but decided to start the Olympic year training in Australia this year.
 
“I decided to go for a bit longer training camp because I postponed my school and I have more time,” Prindis said.
 
“Coming here, I knew there would be two big races with a lot of people so it is good preparation for our selection which is in the middle of April.”
 
Prindis faces a tough challenge in pursuit of a place on the Czech Olympic team this year.
 
However, his focus, for now, is on getting into good shape following an injury-interrupted 2015 season.
 
“It is very hard. In fact I am not thinking about selection for Rio, I am thinking about myself and my preparation now. I want to get in good shape,” Prindis said.
 
“Jiri (Prskavec) has a big advantage after last year’s world championship so I will just focus on training well and then to see how I go at selection as anything can happen.”

Australian Lucien Delfour finished sixth in the final.