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Australia well represented in 500m finals; stroke of luck for Yule

 

Australia well represented in 500m finals; stroke of luck for Yule

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AOC

The Australian canoe/ kayak squad has performed well throughout all 500m canoe/ kayak heats and semi-finals.

The Australian canoe/ kayak squad has performed well throughout all 500m canoe/ kayak heats and semi-finals.

Australian manager Christine Duff said, “everybody has made a final bar one, and we will dominate in the finals.

We have two boys and girls in k1 500m finals and three crews in each of the k2 500m finals. “We hope to pick up medals in the finals. We are looking for gold, but you can never tell- even other minor medals are great.”

Commenting on Australia’s progression into the 500m finals, Craig Pickett said “the Australian team is paddling really well.”

This year the Australian canoe/ kayak team has been reduced to 12 competitors.

“Having only 12 Australian competitors is the best thing that has ever happened to our guys. At previous Youth Olympic festivals, the Australians have dominated…now they are really feeling pressured,” Australian coach Craig Pickett said.

“The standard of the Australian team is better and so is the standard of the competition. It’s great for the team to show they are competitive at this level. Quite a few of them have the qualities to make it to the Olympics. We hope to see a great representation of this team make it there by 2012, and 2016.”

A stroke of good luck sends Yule straight into final

Early disappointment turned to joy as New Zealand paddler Tom Yule redeemed himself from disqualification to qualify for the final in men’s K1 500m. Yule was admitted to the kayaking 500m semi-final after disqualification in the competition heat.

He was disqualified after he fell out of his kayak soon after the start line. “It was a bit unfortunate, but you have to forget about it,” he said.

Yule was given the chance to do just that when officials allowed him to compete in the semi-final, as there was an extra place available.

“I got put into the semi by good luck and I finished fourth. I was really amped up about, I knew that I had to get in there and show everyone that I could do it,” Yule said.

He now looks forward to competing in the final later today.

“Hopefully now that I have passed through the bad luck this morning, it may give me some good luck.”

The Australian Youth Olympics Festival (AYOF) is Yule’s first international canoeing competition. He has competed at New Zealand nationals, but says “the experience of competing at an international event is completely different.”

Tom Yule will also compete in the k4 500m and 100m, and k1 1000m races.

Larissa Di Mauro
AYOF

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