Jacob Clear and Ken Wallace ICF World Cup 1 Poznan, Poland 2012 Photograph:Sportscene |
Queensland duo Ken Wallace and Jacob Clear will race in the men's K2 1000 B final today after finishing 4th in the semi-final overnight, while day 2 will see Alana Nicholls, Jesse Phillips, Steve Bird and Joel Simpson commence their World Cup campaign.
Day 1 was a quiet day for the Australian’s with the powerful Queensland combination of Ken Wallace and Jacob Clear narrowly missing out on a place in the men’s K2 1000 A final, after finishing fourth in the quickest of three semi finals raced.
Ken Wallace was happy to get the first race out of the way and was happy with the feel in the boat, “It was a good start, but I think we have still got a lot to work on towards the Olympics.”
“it’s a good platform that we can build off and the race went well, there was a very strong head wind out there that was for sure and that was a bit relentless, but overall I think we have got a fair bit to work on and I think it’s definitely in the right direction.”
The QAS paddlers finished in 3:31.49, just over four seconds behind the German crew of Martin Hollstein and Andreas Ihle who comfortably lead the field from start to finish. The men’s K2 1000 B final will be raced at 6:06pm Australian EST.
Day two promises to be a more exciting affair as the Western Australian trio of Alana Nicholls, Steve Bird and Jesse Phillips begin their build up to the London Olympics, while Gold Coast sprint paddler Joel Simpson commences his World Cup campaign in the men’s K1 200.
After missing out on a coveted Olympic berth, Simpson will be hungry to prove his doubters wrong when he lines up in the men’s K1 200 heats from 10:25pm AUS EST.
Alana Nicholls will shortly follow in the women’s K1 200 heats, where the 26 year old will be looking to continue her stellar start to 2012 which saw her earn selection in the women’s K1 200 and K1 500 events in London.
The Bayswater paddler tasted great success on the Malta Regatta Course in 2011, winning silver in the K1 500 and bronze in the K1 200 and is set to resume her rivalry with New Zealand’s Lisa Carrington and local favourite Marta Walczykiewicz when she lines up in heat 4 at 11:40pm AUS EST.
London bound WAIS duo Steve Bird and Jesse Phillip will be looking to execute their race plan and finish their heat in the top 3 when they contest the men’s K2 200 heat 3 at 12:15am AUS EST.
The WAIS pair will compete at all three world cups, and are looking to get off to a good start in Poznan and execute their race plan.
“I think our goal is to really give ourselves the best chance every race of doing the best race we can because its nine races; if you look at all three world cups, that’s a lot of racing and to nail every race to your liking is going to be tough, so our preparation and build up is what we are going to be focusing on for every race,” said Bird.
Key Australian’s in action today
6:06pm (83) - Men’s K2 1000 B Final (Ken Wallace, Jacob Clear - Lane 5)
10:35pm (R99) - Men’s K1 200 Heat 3 (Joel Simpson - Lane 8)
11:40pm (R112) - Women’s K1 200 Heat 4 (Alana Nicholls - Lane 8)
12:15am (R119) – Men’s K2 200 Heat 3 (Steve Bird, Jesse Phillips - Lane 8)
Semi Final action
Men’s K1 200 semi finals will be raced from 1:25am
Women’s K1 200 semi finals will be raced from 2:05am
Men’s K2 200 semi finals will be raced from 2:30pm
(All times AUS EST, 8hrs ahead of Poznan, Poland local time).
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