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!