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Otago Daily Times
13-07-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Otago's Collier paddles to world title
The Central Otago school of paddling excellence has produced another champion. Nick Collier has become the first New Zealander to win gold at the junior and under-23 canoe slalom world championships. He claimed victory in the under-23 kayak cross in Foix, France. Collier, 21, who hails from Alexandra but has been based in Waikato for the past four years, went one better than his silver medal at the same world championships in Poland two years ago. In Foix, he had to overcome some strong rivals and a parochial French crowd cheering for a one-two from Titouan Castryck and Gino Benini. Castryck, a silver medallist in the K1 at the Paris Olympics and a past junior and under-23 world champion, had already won the kayak slalom final in Foix but had to settle for silver in the kayak cross, in which competitors race down a whitewater course, navigating through a series of obstacles. It is the same event in which Finn Butcher, also from Alexandra, won gold at the Paris Olympics. ''I'm just astounded,'' Collier told the International Canoe Federation after his win. ''It has been a really long, hard year of training. ''I narrowly missed out last year in the semifinal. ''I got on the podium the year before, so it was incredible to make this comeback here in France and get on the top step of the podium this time. ''Having two French guys in the final, you could hear the crowd, it was so loud. You wouldn't really know who they were cheering for, but there was a really strong Kiwi contingent here. And they were all cheering me, willing me down the course. ''It was such a cool feeling.'' Collier made the shift from Central Otago to Hamilton in 2021 after winning a Sir Edmund Hillary Scholarship to study at Waikato University. He now lives in Cambridge, which is closer to Okere Falls, near Rotorua, for training. Collier's victory came a day after fellow New Zealand paddler Oliver Puchner won silver in the canoe single final. Puchner, from Pukehina in western Bay of Plenty, was competing at his final under-23 world championships and it was by far his best performance. In the under-23 women's C1, Kahlia Cullwick made the semifinals, finishing 25th after also making the semifinals in the K1 event, while junior women's C1 paddler Rosie Rex made the final, finishing 11th in a big advance for her career. — RNZ/APL
Otago Daily Times
30-06-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Butcher storms to first world cup title
Finn Butcher already has one gold medal to treasure, but he was delighted to add another yesterday. The Alexandra paddler charged to victory in kayak cross at the third round of the canoe slalom world cup in the Czech Republic. Butcher, who splashed to immortality when he won gold at the Paris Olympics last year, has a special fondness for the Prague course and it showed as he thrashed his way to victory in the kayak cross final. It was actually the Kiwi champion"s first world cup title. Since making his international debut in 2012, he had claimed three silver medals and one bronze at world cup level, but gold had eluded him until yesterday. The 30-year-old proved too strong as he stormed to the title ahead of Martin Rudorfer (Czech Republic) and Manuel Ochoa (Spain). "Prague is my favourite world cup race," Butcher told the International Canoe Federation. "I love coming here and I love racing here. "It"s epic to take away a win and it"s my first world cup win as well. I have been second a few times and got bronze last year but it"s sick to get a gold." Butcher timed his run in kayak cross to perfection. After finishing second in his heat and second again in the quarterfinals, he won his semifinal before charging to gold in the final. "It"s pretty cool," Butcher said. "I had a bit of a slow start to the world cup in kayak cross. "I talked to my coach yesterday about just letting it go and putting any expectations away — just sending it. "I really wanted to approach the kayak cross with no expectations. Sometimes I can get too caught up in the tactics, like what I should be doing or what I need to be doing and then I take too long to make a decision." There were plenty of roars in the women"s kayak cross race when Czech paddler Tereza Kneblova claimed gold. Earlier, Butcher was fast but incurred a 50sec penalty in the new "short heats" slalom competition, and missed the final. He was also looking fast in the traditional K1 slalom heat but had two flag penalties and finished 17th, missing out on the final. Titouan Castryck (France) won the men"s kayak slalom, and Evy Leibfarth (USA) won the women"s kayak slalom. Butcher and his partner, fellow kayaker Courtney Williams, will stay in Prague for a few more days for some training before a break in Ireland then another block of training in France. The fourth round of the canoe slalom world cup is in Ljubljana-Tacen (Slovenia) on August 28-31, and the final is in Augsburg (Germany) on September 4-7. That sets the scene for the world championships in Sydney at the end of September.
Courier-Mail
26-06-2025
- Sport
- Courier-Mail
Sport Minister's grim 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games warning
Don't miss out on the headlines from Brisbane Olympics 2032. Followed categories will be added to My News. Queensland cannot be guaranteed all 2032 Games events will be held in the Sunshine State despite the desire of the state government and event organisers, the Federal Sports Minister has warned. The Crisafulli government has vocally touted 2032 as the Queensland games despite ongoing concerns Rockhampton's Fitzroy River will not be approved as a Games venue. Brisbane 2032 are in discussions with World Rowing and the International Canoe Federation regarding a technical visit to Rockhampton in the coming months. Anika Wells, speaking in Brisbane alongside state Sports Minister Tim Mander on Thursday, warned decisions about Games venues could ultimately be made outside of governments. 'Obviously, the Queensland Government has indicated their strong preference that all events be contested within the state,' she said. 'But it isn't just up to Tim (Mander), or I, or even Brisbane 2032 (Organising Committee), it is also very much a question for the International Federations to advise us on what they will accept.' Federal Minister for Sport Anika Wells. Ms Wells said there was precedent for events to be held outside host cities and regions after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese earlier this month cast doubt over the 2032 venue plan by suggesting Melbourne could still host tennis and rowing be relocated to Penrith. For Sydney 2000, soccer matches were held at the Gabba and the MCG, while for Paris 2024, surfing was held in Tahiti. Ms Wells said value for money must be considered. 'I don't think anyone would challenge my passion for being a Queenslander, but as the Australian Sports Minister, I am elected and charged with the responsibility of making sure that all Australian taxpayers feel … that they have a place in the Brisbane 2032 Games., ' she said. Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie reaffirmed the state government's promise to hold rowing on the Fitzroy River. 'Rowing will absolutely be in Rockhampton on the mighty Fitzroy River,' he said. 'And as I've said for many occasions now, including to the IOC, I might add, if it is okay for a teenager from Rocky to row the mighty Fitzroy River on the weekend, so too, is it okay for Pierre from Paris.' Mr Bleijie remained confident that all regional competition venues would remain as set out in the 2032 delivery plan. An artist impression of Brisbane Stadium in Victoria Park for Brisbane 2032 Olympics. Source: Queensland Government. Mr Mander and Ms Wells said discussions over a new 2032 intergovernmental agreement, including the use of $2.5bn previously allocated to the Brisbane Arena, would be finalised 'soon'. 'We understand that people want to see us get on with this,' Ms Wells said. 'We understand that people want to see work advance as quickly as possible.' Mr Mander said conversations were also ongoing with Athletics Australia, soccer and gymnastics officials whose sports were not given permanent new venues in the 2032 Delivery Plan. 'I'm very confident we'll have legacy infrastructure for all those sports,' he said. 'I'm just asking people to be just a little bit more patient as we work through this. 'There's a lot of decisions to be made, but I can guarantee you that there'll be legacy in those sports.' Mr Mander said he guaranteed Queenslanders 'won't be paying more than $7.1 billion' between the state and federal governments for 2032 infrastructure.
The Citizen
16-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Amanzimtoti lad to compete overseas
COUNTLESS hours of practise and fierce discipline have paid off for Amanzimtoti canoeist Jimmy Papadopoulos, 18, after he was selected to represent South Africa at the the Auronzo International Sprint Regatta in Italy this month, and at the International Canoe Federation Junior and U23 Canoe Sprint World Championships in Portugal from July 23 to 27. Also read: First race of canoe series done and dusted Jimmy began his canoeing journey at the age of eight under the guidance of his first coach, Brent Chiazzari of the Toti Canoe Club. Currently he is coached by Olympian paddler Tiffany Koch. 'When I saw the official announcement that I had been selected for the South African team to compete in Portugal, I was absolutely over the moon. I couldn't stop smiling the entire afternoon. I immediately started messaging all my friends and family, although most of them already knew, as my mother had proudly shared the news the moment it was released,' said Jimmy. This will be his first time representing South Africa on the world stage, and he is deeply honoured. He is in peak physical condition, having trained around 10 hours per week. 'Four of those hours are in the gym early in the mornings before school, and the remaining six are spent on the water, putting in focused paddling sessions. Mentally, I've been watching as many race videos as I can from previous events held in Portugal on the same course. This helps me visualise the environment so that it feels familiar when I finally get there to compete,' he said. Also read: Warnadoone lifesavers achieve podiums at national sports event Canoeing gives Jimmy the opportunity to challenge himself and push his limits. He said what he loves the most is being able to measure his progress each year at the South African sprint championships, where he races against some of the fastest boys in the country. 'I'm incredibly fortunate to be sponsored for both international trips. For the Italy tour, my parents created a Back-a-Buddy campaign, and I'm immensely grateful to the Toti Canoe Club and all my friends and family who supported me through that. For the Portugal World Championships, I'm fortunate enough to say that KZN Canoeing has sourced funding, and I'm very thankful for their support,' he said. For more South Coast Sun news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Subscribe to our free weekly newsletter and get news delivered straight to your inbox. Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Time Out
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Time Out
It's official: Sydney's favourite urban beach is staying for two more years
In excellent news for water lovers of Sydney's west, the NSW government has just announced a huge $9.2 million investment to keep the area's favourite swimming spot – Penrith Beach (aka Pondi) – open for two more seasons, as well as introducing some serious upgrades to the Sydney International Regatta Centre and Penrith Whitewater up: Pondi. To keep the popular urban beach open for a further two summers, the NSW government is investing $5.2 million in the maintenance and operation of Penrith Beach – which has attracted more than 330,000 visitors since it first opened in December 2023. While the main function of Penrith Beach is as a site for summer recreation in Sydney's west, it's also a site for education – offering a free Junior Lifesaver program, which has already helped to improve the water safety skills of more than 80 children aged 4 to 12. The fresh round of funding will support more free workshops, as well as free skin checks and learn-to-swim programs for the community. The other recipients of this new round of water-focused funding are the Sydney International Regatta Centre and Penrith Whitewater Stadium, with $4 million in funding going towards supporting these venues to welcome more than half a million visitors and host 1,700 sporting and community events annually. The improvements to the precinct will include the installation of a sluice gate, aquatic weed control to enhance water flow, regular water quality testing and reporting, the use of sonic buoys to prevent algae outbreaks, drainage line repairs to reduce flooding and erosion restoration around stormwater infrastructure. All this ahead of the International Canoe Federation's Slalom World Championships, which will be held in Sydney later this year. The World Championships are a good incentive to improve the infrastructure and facilities in the area as Western Sydney takes to the world stage, but according to the government, the main focus is on improving the area for the residents of Western Sydney.
