Rosalyn Lawrence has kick-started 2015 in style by winning the open K1W and C1W finals at the Oceania Championships in New Zealand last weekend.

The 25 year old dominated in the absence of world champion Jessica Fox and New Zealand favourite Luka Jones to win both events.

Lawrence was pleased with her performances.

“I was really happy to come away with the wins in C1 and K1 and it was a really great way to cap it off in New Zealand,” Lawrence said.

Lawrence used the event as part of her preparation ahead of selection at the Australian Open later this month.

“I have been training really well for selection, so it was good to have a warm up two weeks beforehand at the Oceania Championships. Just focusing on technique and getting some speed work in as well.”

Just one other Australian featured alongside Lawrence in New Zealand, with Victorian Jaxon Merritt finishing fifth in the open men's K1 event.

In the absence of the Australian coaching staff the pair relied on each other for support.

“We had a chat together about the gates to see how we were going to do them and cheered him on. It was good to have him there.”

Lawrence was particularly pleased to perform well in both disciplines.

“Usually I do well in one and not in the other and usually it changes around so I was happy to do well in both events.”

Despite some strong performances in New Zealand Lawrence believes she needs to improve in a few areas if she is likely to challenge Fox and a host of international stars for victory at Aus Open.

“I need to tidy up the penalties for selection to do well but I feel like the speed it there and the mental preparation as well,” she said.

With 2015 being the pre-Olympic year, Lawrence will focus predominantly on the K1 with the hope of securing an Olympic berth next year.

“I will still do a little bit of C1 but K1 will be the main focus this year with most of my training in a K1.”

“I am still finalising my plans for where I will be going in Europe and how long I will be spending there but it is the year leading into Olympic selection in 2016 so it is going to be a pretty important year and all guns blazing.”

Asked if she thinks she can challenge Fox, Lawrence responded, “She is pretty quick in the Olympic discipline of K1.”

“I guess it’s a mental game, ticking all the boxes, doing all the one percenters and just making sure I can doing everything I can to be the best that I can be. If I paddle to the best of my ability I think that will be enough.”

The battle for selection will commence at the Australian Open at Penrith Whitewater Stadium from Friday 13 to Sunday 15 February

Australian Canoeing