CANOE KAYAK: Ian Borrows admits he was scared before training at the Rio 2016 Whitewater Stadium in Deodoro.
However it wasn’t a case of pre-Olympic nerves or even worries over a niggling injury, but rather something a bit more visible – the look of his competition boat.
Borrows joined fellow athletes Jess Fox and Lucien Delfour in ‘dressing’ their boats ahead of their competition.
“It’s very stressful, actually,” Borrows, who will contest the C1, laughed.
“When you come into competition it’s the one thing you want to get right because everyone makes a comment about what the boat looks like."
It was at the Sydney Olympics as a 10-year-old spectator that Borrows fell in love with the sport, and even he concedes it’s a bit surreal to now be on the other side of the fence (and the world), as an Olympic competitor.
“It’s incredible to look back 16 years ago to see where I am now – what I’m going to do is to soak in every moment because it will go so quickly."
The 26-year-old also believes he too could encourage a young Australian too take up the sport with a strong performance in Rio.
“I was actually looking at the kids artwork in my room this morning which is part of the AOC’s Village Artwork Program. The pictures they have drawn for my room are so awesome, the kids think that we are going to inspire them but I think it’s the other way around."
After four full days of training, Borrows is feeling confident on the tight Deodoro layout but believes the weather conditions on the day of competition could have a huge impact on the results, especially given the afternoon winds which have been a feature during the first week of practice.
“The wind makes it really hard. You have to manage your speed at the gate and allow enough room for some sudden movements but at the same time you are trying to go as fast and as smoothly as possible,” he said.
Borrows is the first Australian slalom athlete to compete at the Games on Sunday August 7 (day 2) in the C1 heats (run 1 and 2). He will be followed shortly afterwards by Delfour in the K1 heats. London silver medallist Jessica Fox starts her campaign the on Monday August 8 (day 30.
Damian Kelly
olympics.com.au
