Olympic-bound kayakers Alyce Wood and Alyssa Bull have warmed up for the Games with morale-boosting victories at the Australian championships.
They claimed first and second place respectively in the marquee K1 500 and combined to win the K2 500 at Adelaide.
Wood said they were heading in the right direction, with the Olympics to be held in Tokyo in two months.
“It’s really good to come here and get a few wins under our belt before the Games. It’s kind of all about the process at the moment,” she said in a Paddle Australia media release.
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“It’s also been great to be back in the K2 racing with Aly (Bull).”
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“We’ve really nailed the race processes and we’ve been able to take away some bits which are really positive, and some bits that we can work on in the next 60 days or so.”
“I’m really excited to get to Tokyo and lineup, we love the K2.”
They made the final at the Rio Games in 2016, finishing eighth but they have become a more dominant presence in recent years.
Wood also won the K2 200 during the weekend.
“We’re not racing the 200 in Tokyo, but it’s good to know that I can get out of the blocks quickly,” she said.
The national championships featured the best paddlers from around Australia, including plenty of young talents.
“It’s good to see that gap being bridged this year, and to see the next generation of athletes coming through the ranks,” Wood said.
“Things are looking really exciting for the Paris Olympic and beyond.”
Several paddlers from Sunshine Coast Paddlesports Club and from Kawana Waters Canoe Club were in the thick of the action.
