Wireless in a (Wireless) Wired World

It seemed so simple. I wasn't in Beijing and we live in a connected world so I thought hanging out in a campsite in the bushveld with my 3G phone and laptop would be just fine. I knew I would have electricity and coverage. I was going to follow Olympic events and keep this blog up to date on our paddler's progress on the porch of my tent while black eagles hunted dassies and mongooses nibbled my toes.

What more would I need?

It turns out that I needed two pieces of wire that I managed to leave at home. One piece of wire has a special plug that fits into my phone and plugs into my laptop and the other has a phone charger on one end.

So there I was two pieces of wire less than I needed to be and I had to try and follow things second and third hand.

I will have to do some catching up in the next week or so.

A quick review of our paddler's performances.

Master Cele - Seen in the bigger picture and the background of this Cinderella of Cinderella sports in South Africa I think he did great. I hope he is able to continue building for London. I hope he gets more exposure and continues to be a role model. I hope he gets decent funding.

Cyp Ngidi and Cameron McIntosh - Everything I said about and for Master applies to Cyp. And mega kudos for what Cameron has achieved in helping Cyp and Master to the world stage where they are receiving deserved respect. All strength to AmaDonsaDonsa.

Shaun Rubinstein - I was absolutely convinced he would make both his finals and maybe finish as high as fifth in at least one. It was a shock to me when he didn't make any finals. I look forward to speaking with him and gettin some first hand impressions.

I wish there was still a 10 000M race at Worlds and Olympics. If there was I think Shaun would own it.

I would like to see him take a bit of a break and then do the work to get his World Marathon Champ title back.

Jen Hodson - She made the final as expected. I really thought she was our best paddling medal hope. It was a really close race, 3.3 seconds between first and last positions. When Katalin Kovacs doesn't medal you know the race was tough. Judging by the splits she went out really hard and maybe pushed too hard too early and started dying in the second half.

I think Jen has had a great career. There was a vacuum for while after Ruth Nortje went to the USA until Jen came through and flew the flag for women's sprinting in South Africa. Now the South African women show more strength and depth than the men do.

Does Jen have another Olympics in her? I don't know. (Before anyone puts age restrictions on how long anyone can paddle at the top level think about Birgit Fischer and Josefa Idem.) Whatever she decides she will always be one of the greats of South African womens' paddling.

K4 - Michele Eray, Carol Joyce, Nicki Mocke and Jen Hodson - They raced pretty much exactly as I expected them to. I don't know how much longer this group will stay together. They are still improving and we don't know what their limit is.

K2 - Michele Eray and Bridgitte Hartley - I think this is an awesomely promising combination. They are brand new as a combination and if they stay together I see big things.

In Cameron's Words

The C2 slalom combination of Cyprian Ngidi and Cameron McIntosh didn't make the final of their event. I didn't expect them to as I saw their participation as development. I really hope that by 2012 we will have gone beyond 'development'.

I have no doubt that participation in the Olympics for Master, Cyprian and Cameron was an experience of a lifetime with high hopes, trepidation, excitement, disappointment and much more.

Cameron's word express this fantastically ...



There are three races that stand out in my memory.

The 1st one was in 1998 when I won SA Champs for the 1st time on the Bushman's river. It was a huge mental boost for me especially because it was such a close tussle between myself and Guy Collyer.

The second was my K1 race at Africa Champs in January when I had one of my best runs but got beaten by Benjamin Boukpeti from Togo who went on to win yesterday’s Bronze.

And then today will be a day I will remember for the rest of my life.

It was bizarre to think that after 13 years of trying here Cyp and I were lining up for the Olympic Games.

The sacrifices that have gone into this just seemed to pale away as we went up the conveyor belt and all of a sudden were surrounded by 12 000 screaming spectators and TV Camera’s all over the place. I was quite calm in the circumstances and fortunately time ticked by quickly and we got the signal to go.

We just didn’t hit the lines and click in our 1st run. There were so many mistakes and we reached the finish thinking that was not what we were capable of. So it was just going to come down to a good second run...

Now Cyp and I changed positions in February this year with me going to the back and him moving to the front. It took us 2 weeks before we could remotely paddle in a straight line on flat water!

In the 2nd run it just clicked. We hit each line perfectly and got to the end knowing that was the best run we had ever had. In gate 13 we made a small mistake and missed the gate by a fraction but it still doesn’t take this fact away: Our 2nd run time would easily have put us into the semi-final. That fact gives me greater satisfaction than I have had in 20 years of paddling.

Bring on 2012

Slalom Medal for Africa

Benjamin Boukpeti from Togo won gold in the mens K1 slalom final. Absolutely stunning. And he was only 0.15 seconds away from Silver.

He won his semi by 1 hundredth of a second.

I hope this sparks the rest of our paddling squad to show what Africans and particularly SAFFAs can do.

Cameron McIntosh describes the race ...

Benjamin Boukpeti, who paddles for TOGO, and is an AmaDonsaDonsa Team member had the race of his life this afternoon and won the Bronze Medal. We are SO proud of Ben and the super amazing result! It is a HUGE boost for slalom in Africa!!!! WELL DONE BEN!!!!!!

We have just got back from the slalom. It is absolutely incredible that Benjamin won. He was a BEAST on the course and ripped it to shreds. I must say having lost to him at the Africa Champs I actually feel pretty cool about losing to an Olympic Medallist!!!

He was leading the 1st run and in the 2nd run had a stormer but it was just not good enough to beat the German, Alex Grim. Alex has a head of titanium when it comes to the big events and his second run was awesome. He is probably physically the biggest paddler and just blew everyone away including Ben who has no problem to do reps with 130kgs on the Bench!

The atmosphere was superb. Martikan in the C1 won the Gold again after having taken it in Atlanta when he was 17 and then getting silver twice in Sydney and Athens. This time he touched in BOTH his runs but still won by 2 seconds!!!

Olympictures

The Olympics is always a visual feast.















The equestrian pics are especially for my wife Madelaine.

Master Cele

Clearly my research wasn't good enough. I said I would p myself with excitement if Master made the top twenty. It turns out there were only 16 competitors. That's pretty disappointing considering what a spectacular sport slalom is and the amount of money that goes into building a world class artificial slalom course.

Master finished last. He showed real grit by coming back from a 50 pointer in his first run and improved his time by 12 seconds and nearly went clean, only getting 2 penalties.

He is 23 and steadily improving. Don't give up Master. You are a great role model.

We hope to see you doing much better in the next four years and giving it a real go in London in 2012.



Dave MacLeod describes master's race from Beijing ...

Beijing, China – Siboniso “Master” Cele bounced back from a nerve-hampered first run to post an impressive second run on the first day of the Olympic C1 slalom competition, but failed to make the cut for the semi-finals.

A gutted Cele had to twice Eskimo roll his canoe after capsizing in the white water of the Shunyi slalom course, and in the process of righting his craft for the second time he missed gate 16, and incurred a 50 second penalty that effectively ended his Olympic dream.

“I had already rolled once (in the tough Dragons Mouth drop) and when I came down to the big drop my paddle touched the side of the canal, which unbalanced me and I fell to the off-side, I rolled up as fast as I could but I went under the gate upside down, which is an automatic fifty second penalty.”
With just his pride at stake Cele set off on his second run far more confidently, and completed a clear run in a time that reaffirmed his potential to make the semi-final cut.

The likeable youngster from the Dihlabeng club outside Bethlehem was placed under huge pressure as he was the first paddler to enter the packed Shunyi stadium, where the expectant massive crowd created a charged atmosphere.

“After that first run I felt like I wanted to kill myself,” said Cele. “But it is a race, and I had to get it all back together and try to do the best that I could do in the final run, to prove what I am capable of.”
Cele has every right to feel disappointed, as the times he posted would have given a good chance at making the semi-final cut. “That’s what makes it so frustrating,” he added. “looking at all my split times I know I was capable of making the semis.”

Cele is determined to take his Olympic experience and use it to fuel the passion of the youngsters that he coaches at the Dihlabeng township in the Free State. Despite his disappointment, he was aware of the of the impact that his role as an Olympian would have on that training programme.
“Globally it looks so bright,” he enthused. “I want the kids in our club to use today to inspire them to train even harder, and one day top race at the Olympics. For me personally I see this just as the first step to my goal for the next Olympics in 2012,” he added.

Tracker - Results Highlights

Result Highlights:
Top 10
1. Hank McGregor Kin 4:18:36.80
2. Grant v d Walt Dab 4:18:38.15 U 18 - 1
3. Mik Mbanjwa Erk 4:26:09.00
4. Jacques Theron Sow 4:26:11.49
5. Greg Louw Fis 4:26:37.70
6. Ernst van Riet Us 4:32:45.24
7. Mike Harris Vic 4:34:57.14 SV -1
8. Brandon v d Walt Dab 4:34:58.31 U 16 ­ 1
9. Alex Roberts Dab 4:34:59.15
10.Cornelis Human Us 4:35:52.68

Ladies.
1. Robyn Kime Ukn 4:56:44.03 U 18 ­ 1
2. Bianca Bevit Mil 4:59:35.59 U 18 ­ 2
3. Abie Adie Nat 5:08:48.37 U 21

U18 Boys
1. Grant v d Walt
2. Brandon v d Walt
3. Murray Burgess

U 16 Boys
1. Brandon v d Walt
2. Gavin Shuter
3. Tristan Schafer

Sub Vet. 1 ­ Mike Harris
Vet. 1 ­ Gavin Tar
Sub Mas. 1 ­ Kevin Middleton
Mas. 1 ­ Gehard Steyn
Sub G M 1 ­ Chris van den Berg
G. Mas. 1 ­ Brian Longley

A Story Without Words

Beijing - Athletes, Schedule and Predictions

Here are the South African athletes competing in canoe and kayak at Beijing.

I have put times and channels where I have been able to get hold of info. If I get better info I will make the changes.

I have also expressed my thoughts on how I think the different athletes will perform. Although these comments are entirely subjective I have tried to be as realistic as possible in my predictions. I wish the absolute best to every one of these athletes. I am totally in awe of their abilities and dedication.

11 August - Slalom

Siboniso (Master) Cele - C1 Heats - 04:00 SS6/SS7

Master Cele has been making steady progress over the last few years. Thanks in no small part to the incredible efforts of Cameron Mcintosh to bring the sport in from the fringes.

There is a small and slow rebirth in Slalom paddling. All power to people like Cameron and Alick Rennie and anyone else working for the benefit of slalom.

Slalom is so small in South Africa and our physical isolation and lack of facilities and high level competition makes it incredibly difficult to build world class abilities. That makes Cameron's work that much more significant. Go to the slalom website to get a better idea of what is being done.

Back to Master Cele and his likely achievement at Beijing. I think his presence is a worthy development exercise and a place in the final would be a great achievement. If he makes the top twenty I will p myself with excitement.

12 August - Slalom

Siboniso (Master) Cele - C1 Semi Finals / Finals - 09:00 SS6/SS7

13 August - Slalom

Cameron McIntosh & Lindelani Ngidi - C2 Heats - 09:00

I think this combination has similar prospects to Master in the C1. If they make it to the finals and have a hot run in the final they should make the top twenty.

One of the biggest challenges for our paddlers is their lack of high level competition and this affects their abilty to produce consistent performances. From what I hear about the Beijing course this is precisely the type of course that they could struggle on.

14 August - Slalom

Cameron McIntosh & Lindelani Ngidi - C2 Semi Finals / Finals - 09:00 SS7






18 August - Flatwater

Shaun Rubinstein - K1 1000M Heats - 09:30

Calvin Mkoto - C1 1000M Heats - 10:00

Womens K4 - K4 500M Heats - 10:30

19 August - Flatwater

Shaun Rubinstein - K1 500MHeats - 09:30

Calvin Mkoto - C1 500M Heats - 10:00

Jennifier Hodson - K1 500M Heats - 10:40

Michelle Eray & Bridgitte Hartley - K2 500M Heats 12:00

20 August - Flatwater

Shaun Rubinstein - K1 1000M Semi Finals - 09:30 SS6

Calvin Mkoto - C1 1000M Semi Finals - 10:00

Womens K4 - K4W 500M Semi Finals - 10:10

21 August - Flatwater

Shaun Rubinstein - K1 500M Semi Finals - 09:30

Calvin Mkoto - C1 500M Semi Finals - 10:00 SS6

Calvin has worked his way from an impoverished township background. Poor nutrition, pitifully limited finances, an iron will and a heart like a lion. Even with the help he has received from a number of people he has struggled against tremendous odds to get to Beijing.

Will he make a final? Maybe. But he has only recently become a senior and if he sticks it out he is likely to become a solid world cup and world champs finalist and will be a real competitior in the next Olympics.



Jennifier Hodson - K1 500M Semi Final - 10:20 SS6

Michelle Eray & Bridgitte Hartley - K2 500M Semi Final - 11:10 SS6



22 August - Flatwater

Shaun Rubinstein - K1 1000M Final - 09:30 SS6

I fully expect Shaun to make it to the both the 500M and the 1000M finals where he'll be battling six other paddlers for the bronze. The 1000M gold and silver will probably go to Tim Brabants and Adam van Koeverden respectively and then swop for the 500M.

Please don't think this next remark is negative ... If Shaun takes a medal it will take a month for me to come back to earth. He can do it but it will require him to paddle the best race of his life so far to do it. I hope he puts that race together, otherwise I think Eirik Veras Larsen is the most likely person to grab the bronze in the 1000M and maybe Ken Wallace or Marek Twardowski in the 500M.






Calvin Mkoto - C1 1000M Final - 09:45 SS6

Womens K4 - K4 500M Final - 10:20 SS6

All the womens team boat golds and silvers are likely to be shared between the Germans and the Hungarians. That leaves the others to fight for the bronzes. The Chinese K4 has been snapping at German and Hungarian heels and I think they will probably wrap up the K4 bronzes. Seeing as it is 'their' Olympics they will be enormously motivated.

I think our girls will put up a good fight and I hope like crazy that they can grab a medal but I think top five is the likely result.

23 August - Flatwater

Shaun Rubinstein - K1 500M Final - 09:30 SS5

Calvin Mkoto - C1 500M FInal - 09:45 SS5

Jennifier Hodson - K1 500M Final - 10:20 SS5

I think Jen is our best medal hope. I expect the gold and bronze to go to Hungary and Germany. Based on Jen's performaces in this years world cups I think Jen has a very real chance of a medal.

Michelle Eray & Bridgitte Hartley - K2 500M Final 11:20 SS5

As much as I feel for Nicki Mocke losing her place in this boat I think this is a far better combination.

Bridgitte has improved enormously this season and almost took the K1 position from Jen.

If Michelle and Bridgitte click they can get a medal. I think they even have a small chance of breaking the Hungarian / German stranglehold on golds and silvers in team boats.

Slalom Squad Contact Number

The slalom squad in Beijing can be contacted on +861 364 107 2930.

They will welcome calls and SMSs.

SA canoe polo squad ends world champs on a high

Also somewhat belated:

Edmonton, Canada – The South Africa canoe polo team ended the world championship tournament by winning a thrilling final match cliff-hanger against Japan that saw the team rise several places in the world rankings.

After enduring a torrid first round of pool matches that saw them suffer defeats at the hands of Ireland, Italy and Denmark, the South Africans slipped out of the top three placing in their pool and missed the cut for the top half of the knockout competition, effectively meaning that they were now competing for places 13 to 24 in the competition.

However the determined South Africans got the second half of the tournament off to a perfect start with a solid 3-2 victory against the host nation Canada, and then showed their ever improving form by walloping the USA 7-0, before suffering a narrow loss to Japan.

In the semi-final stages the South Africans lost a close match to Chinese Taipei by two goals to set up a final match against Japan that would decide places 15 and 16 at the world championships, and with it a guaranteed berth into the next world championships.

“We tried a new defensive strategy against Japan which worked well but we also conceded a couple of runaway goals after losing possession whilst attacking their zone. That is how we found ourselves two goals behind with two minutes left in the match,” said team coach Kevin Meier.

The South Africans opted to send their entire team on attack, leaving their goal undefended, and scored a goal with just thirty seconds left in the match.

From the restart Dale Morphew forced a turnover and flipped the ball out to Matt Swemmer who fired a desperate long range shot at goal with just three seconds of gametime remaining.

“The ball initially looked as if it was going wide,” said Meier, “but then curved in the air over the distance and went into the goal! I nearly fell off the pontoon with excitement.”

That last-gasp goal forced the play-off into two periods of extra time, during which time neither team scored. That left the match to be decided by a penalty shoot-out involving five members of each team.

South African goalie Clive Whitton gave his team the perfect start to the decider by saving the first Japanese penalty, before Craig Rees scored for the South Africans. With the pressure now squarely on the Japanese Whitton saved the next two goals, while Andrew Pott and Dean Oellermann slotted goals to secure the victory in an electric atmosphere.

The win left South Africa with a final ranking of 15^th, and a guaranteed qualification for the next world champs in Italy in 2010.

“There is very little in difference between the teams from about 6th position to 16th position,” said Meier. “Although we were disappointed with our overall standing we were very happy that by the end of the worlds we had improved to a very competitive level.”

Dave MacLeod/Gameplan Media

Lewin breaks 25 year old record in Avon descent victory

A little bit belated:

Perth - Durban canoeist Barry Lewin smashed the 25 year old K1 record in winning the Brookfield Multiplex Avon Descent singles race on a very full Avon and Swan rivers.

Lewin covered the 136km two-day race in 7:53.03 hours, breaking Darryl Long's 1983 record of 8:04.50 hours, thanks to the fast flowing water in the rivers swollen by heavy rains and dams opened to ease pressure from the localised storms.

Lewin was fifteen minutes inside record pace when he got to the end of the first stage, despite having stopped to help a top Australian paddler who had run into trouble in the notorious ti-trees.

Lewin came to the aid of Ash Nisbet in a dangerous ti-tree thicket, in the process surrendering his lead in the singles race.

“With 8km to go on the 56km first stage Ash (Nisbet) got stuck in a tree and was wedged by his boat,” said Lewin. “I jumped out of mine and pulled him off the tree. Then I tried as hard as I could to catch Perth paddler Brendan Sarson, who won the first stage singles on a surf ski.”

The act of selfless bravery earned Lewin the Knight of the River award.

“Day Two was the longest days paddling I have ever done,” said Lewin after downloading the 77km trip data from his Garmin GPS unit. “I tried to catch Sarson, and made up some time on the first half of Day Two, and finished fifth overall, and broke the K1 race record.”

“What an experience,” enthused Lewin. “I had the best seconds and hosts in the Orton family, feeding me jelly babies and chocolates and looking after me during the race!”

Nisbet went on to finish second in the kayak team competition with Lewin’s Varsity College friend Clint Pretorius.

"Lewin was absolutely gunning it down the river,” said race spokesperson Gary Gannon.

Lewin’s win extends the long history of South African dominance in the K1 races since Wayne Volek's first victory in 2000. Since then the Singles title has been won by Martin Dreyer, Darryl Bartho and Sven Bruss, while the Bruss and Bartho brothers have also won the team titles.

“Paddling is a big sport in South Africa and they have bred some superb paddlers,” said Gannon.

Last year Lewin won the prestigious Liffey Descent title on his debut on the legendary Irish race into Dublin, and followed that a few weeks later wit a victory in the Soualiga Challenge surf ski race in the Caribbean.

Dave MacLeod/Gameplan Media

Jen Hodson's Blog

Jen Hodson now has her own blog.

Some Olympics Related Links

Here are some sites that you can use to access different information about the Olympics in general and paddling at the Olympics in particular.

SASCOC website

SA Slalom website

Official Beijing Olympics website

Never Again

On this day in 1945 the 'Little Boy' atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima.

We pray that mankind never again sees fit to allow an act like this.

Olympic Preview - Shaun Rubinstein

What a time to be competing! Adam van Koeverden and Tim Brabants are in absolutely stunning form and have been for the last two years.

Sprint paddling legends like Eirik Veraas Laarsen, Marek Twardowski and Ben Fouhy are regularly being relegated to also-ran status.

The regular powerhouses like Hungary, Germany, Poland just haven't been able to produce anyone to take these two on.

In the midst of this South Africa, with a tiny history of international sprint racing, has one guy steadily improving and climbing his way up the ranks - Shaun Rubinstein.

Ruby, as he is known in South African racing circles, has quietly been earning a solid reputation and respect amongst the international elite.




He finished the 2007 season ranked number 3 in the world. He achieved his ranking through consistency and although there is no question he is improving and is now a regular finalist at World Cup and World Championship events he has not established himself as a reguar medallist.

2008, so far, has been a tough season for Ruby. His world ranking dropped to 5 after the World Cups. He didn't score any points in the first World Cup in Szeged.

As much as he is a tremendously focussed and composed athlete I wonder whether the enormity of the Olympics is getting under his skin. I trust that Nandor with good experience of preparation for Olympics is working very closely with him.

I think Shaun's own words best describe his potential for an Olympic podium “If I can get my peak and all other aspects involved in having a perfect race right, I believe I am good enough to win a medal,”

The key to this is that I think he knows that at this stage of his career he needs a near perfect race to be in line for an Olympic medal.

Adam and Tim, however, are paddling so well that they don't need perfect races to medal. I expect that between them they will grab the K1 golds and silvers. That leaves only the bronze medals up for grabs.

I am pretty confident that he will make at least one K1 final and I hope like crazy that he does have a perfect race and win a medal.

It breaks my heart to say this but I don't think Ruby is as a likely to medal as Jen is. There won't be many people happier than me if I'm wrong.

JZ and Disturbing Under Currents

JZ's day in court starts today. He must be so relieved that at last he can start to prove his innocence.

Or is he? It appears that his legal team once again will be delving into the fine points of the fine points of law trying to get his case thrown out or delayed or ... anything but tried.

Zuma and his cohorts are complaining how he has been prejudiced by how long it is taking for his day in court to come about. Yet he and his team were castigated by a ConCourt judge for wasting so much time and interfering with the process of bringing his trial to court.

On other fronts:

- The ANC Youth League, who profess respect for the law, are projecting severe disruption of the country if the case goes to court.

- It appears that Mbeki is being pressurised to stand down early so that JZ can assume the country's presidency. Which introduces a whole set of challenges around trying a ruling president.

- Even further there is talk that elements within the ANC are seriously considering using the ANC parliamentary dominance to change the constituion so that a ruling president cannot be tried. How great would that be - you could then commit any crimes you like as long as you become president before the courts get you.

- There is even talk of pushing for a blanket amnesty for anyone who might have done anything wrong relating to the whole suite of arms deals.

To me this speaks volumes about lots people in high places with real fears of what might come out in the wash. I find myself beginning to wonder if this is dirtier than we ever thought.

Olympics Preview - Jen Hodson

I can imagine how the tension is building for Jen.

One thing that Jen has shown without doubt over the years of her international paddling career is her mental toughness and determination.

I recall the comments about her being a token female paddler and lucky to be included when she first competed overseas.

Her belief in herself and the belief that a few others have had in her is now being shown to be justified.

When Nandor speaks about Jen and her mental strength he shakes his head in awe and respect.

Jen showed that strength in the face of Bridgitte Hartley's tremendous rise in the South African women's paddling ranks.

Jen has been absolutely determined to paddle in the Olympics and to a certain extent her place in the team was secure - until Bridgitte hit her stride. Against expectations Jen's K1 500M place wasn't a given anymore.

The final selection for the women's 500 M K1 berth went down to the wire with Jen beating Bridgitte by less than quarter of a second at this year's Szeged World Cup.

That race alone was a magnificent milestone for South African sprint racing. What other nation has managed to get two paddlers into a World Cup final? Suddenly South African women's paddling was in the same league as the two greats of international women's racing - Hungary and Germany.

Considering the build up to the limited Olympic races for women this was one of the great women's starting lineups.

Here are the results of the race:
1 Kovacs Katalin HUN 1:57.776
2 Benedek Dalma HUN 1:58.178
3 Wagner-Augustin Katrin GER 1:58.796
4 Hodson Jennifer RSA 1:59.936
5 Hartley Bridgitte RSA 2:00.182
6 Zhong Hong Yan CHN 2:01.118
7 Paldanius Sophia SWE 2:01.124
8 Johnson Carrie USA 2:01.226
9 Leonhardt Carolin GER 2:03.236

Not blindingly fast but look at who was there. With Sophia Paldanius, Carrie Johson and Carolin Leonhardt filling out the last three places this could not have been an easy race, no matter what the times may say.

I don't know haw many international golds were represented in this but this was a great race for South Africans.

So back to Jen and her Olympic chances.

With one paddler per country this race would be a very strong indicator of how the womens K1 500M final could go.

Simply on that basis I think Jen is a very real medal hope.

Kayakmaster is totally behind you. Go Jen, go!

Ruby's Logo

Shaun Rubinstein has applied a new logo to his blog.

I think it works pretty well. What do you think?

Olympic Preview from SAKayak

Thanks to Dave Macleod for this report from Beijing

The biggest team of South Africa canoeists to take part in the Olympic Games will begin the campaign in the slalom and sprint events confident of reaching the finals in a number of disciplines, with two genuine chances to win medals.

Flatwater sprinters Shaun Rubenstein and Jen Hodson are both serious medal contenders, and have both wrapped up their Olympic preparations at their camp in Szolnok in the best shape of their careers and itching to start their challenge for Olympic glory.

“If I can get my peak and all other aspects involved in having a perfect race right, I believe I am good enough to win a medal,” said Shaun Rubenstein, who has been a regular feature on the A finals for both the 500m and 1000m K1 races at the World Cup regattas in the build-up to the Olympic games.

“My training has been going very well. We are starting to do a lot more training on the course to prepare our bodies for the intense racing that is coming up,” said Rubenstein, who has been training with fellow South Africans Ant Stott and Nic Burden, as well as fellow Olympians Australian Ken Wallace of Australia and Slovenia’s Jupancic Regent.

Jen Hodson is also optimistic about a strong challenge for a medal in the A final of the women’s 500m K1. “Realistically there are 6 or 7 girls who can all medal on the day, and I include myself as one of these,” said the Pietermaritzburg raised star who relocated to Gauteng to train under national coach nandor Almasi several years ago.

“After all these months it’s difficult to realise that we are days away from the opening ceremony,” said Hodson. “I can definitely feel the big race is coming up, and the enormity of what we are about to experience is starting to feel real.”

Hodson will also anchor the high flying women’s K4 that has rocketed from obscurity to being a genuine force in the tough and competitive world of international K4 racing.

The K4 crew of Michèle Eray, Carol Joyce, Nikki Mocke and Jen Hodson has made major strides, and will be looking to start the women’s K4 final in a strong position and is aiming for at least a top six finish.

“There will probably be about a second separating us all so it is all about getting it right on the day, at the right time!” said Nikki Mocke, the wife of Capetonian surf ski ace Dawid Mocke.

“Training has been going well, and the K4 is hitting some super-fast times,” said Plettenberg Bay based Eray, who will also partner Tukkies paddler Bridgitte Hartley in the 500m K2 races.

This combination was only initiated in June, following the needle tussle between Hartley and Hodson for the right to race the blue ribbon women’s 500m K1 event, which was only decided at the final trial at the World Cup in Hungary which saw history being made as the two South African women raced into the top five places in the A final.

“Bridgitte (Hartley) and I have been working hard to become much quicker off the mark,” said Eray. “It’s paying off and we are feeling a lot faster than before. We still have only paddled together very few times compared to other international pairs, but I am very positive about our combination.”

Making up the balance of the challenge from Team South Africa in the flatwater sprint events is teenager Calvin Mokoto, who is the first South African paddler to qualify a C1 canoe berth at the Olympic Games.

The enthusiastic Wattville youngster has won plenty of admirers in his first international season, after being spotted and nurtured by German champion Andreas Dittmer several years ago.

Three athletes will contest the slalom competition at the challenging new artificial white water course, all of them in canoes. It is the first time that South African paddlers have qualified a place at the Games in canoes, in which the paddlers kneel in the craft and use single bladed paddles.

Cameron McIntosh, the Bethlehem based doctor who for years campaigned to qualify a K1 for the games, will partner Cyprian Ngidi in the C2 competition, while Siboniso “Master” Cele will contest the C1 events.

Cele has improved rapidly since making his international debut five years ago and is aiming to make the cut of the top twelve paddlers to secure a berth in the semi-finals.

McIntosh, who must take much of the credit for doggedly driving the dreams of slalom paddlers and founding the Dihlabeng slalom canoe club outside Bethlehem that is the home of elite slalom paddling in South Africa, started the slalom careers of Cele and Ngidi while they were members of the Lembethe Canoe Club at Nagle Dam, deep in the Valley of a Thousand Hills.

He is determined to take his C2 partnership with Ngidi to new heights on the tough heavy water of the Shunyi course, and has set a top ten finish in the heats, which will earn them a place in the semi finals, as their first goal.

The trio has been training on the new course in Beijing, which is arguably the toughest man-made white water course in the world. He said that the intense heat and humidity has made training difficult.

“The Zulu’s are getting “kathele” in this heat,” said McIntosh. “I’m dosing them up on vitamins and liquids to combat the heat.”

The slalom and flatwater events will be held at the new purpose built facility nestled in the forest park region of Shun Yi, 40km to the north of the centre of Beijing.

The slalom competition starts on Monday 11 August and ends on 14 August, while the flatwater racing gets under way on Monday 18 August and concludes on Saturday 23 August. All the canoeing events starts at 3:30pm Beijing time each day.