Baggaley still one to beat in Men's K1 500m

Two-time and reigning world champion Nathan Baggaley heads into Sunday's Men's K1 500 as favourite despite strong performances by Olympic gold medallist Clint Robinson and New South Wales pair David Rhodes and Daniel Collins at the end of day two of competition at the 2004 Australian Canoe/Kayak Flatwater Championships.

SYDNEY - Two-time and reigning world champion Nathan Baggaley heads into Sunday's Men's K1 500 as favourite despite strong performances by Olympic gold medallist Clint Robinson and New South Wales pair David Rhodes and Daniel Collins at the end of day two of competition at the 2004 Australian Canoe/Kayak Flatwater Championships.

In the much anticipated showdown in the semifinals, Baggaley and Robinson burst into motion side by side in Semifinal 3 under the watchful gaze of spectators and more importantly fellow competitors already qualified for the final.

Stroke for stroke over the first two hundred metres, Baggaley increased his cadence through the 300 metre mark to lead by a boat length.

Known for his great finishing power, Robinson was always within striking distance of Baggaley, and with 100 metres to go looked to make a move for the lead. Despite pegging back half a boat length, Baggaley lifted his rhythm and surged away from Robinson before glancing sideways and slowing marginally once he knew the race was his.

Baggaley finished in 1:39.169, followed by Robinson (1:39.696) and Scott Austin (1:40.074) to qualify for Sunday's final.

In the first semifinal, Baggaley's friend and rival David Rhodes led from start to finish in a time of 1:39.836.

Rhodes recalls it was Baggaley who helped him get a start in the sport.

"I did athletics and Nathan did canoeing. When I was 17, Nathan told me he believed in me that I could be a good paddler," Rhodes said.

Baggaley's belief is well founded, as Rhodes beat home Queensland's Julian Norton-Smith (1:41.004) and South Australia's Chris Alagich (1:41.474).

Rounding out the semifinals was a strong performance from Daniel Collins, who finished first in 1:39.837. He established an early lead over Craig Rodgers and held out both Rodgers (1:41.287) and a fast finishing Piers Christiansen (1:42.464).

Should Baggaley win the final on Sunday, he will automatically qualify for selection for the Australian team for the Athens Olympic Games. If he is beaten, he will get another chance to secure the spot at race-offs in two remaining world cup meetings over the next two months.

The Final will be held on Sunday at 11:30.