Slovakians shine at Australian Open

2/23/2009

The finals of the 2009 Australian Open have concluded with the Slovakian paddlers claiming three of the five gold medals on offer at the Penrith Whitewater Stadium.

Slovakian Matej Benus claimed the first title at the 2009 Australian Open with a victory in men’s C2, upsetting the silver and bronze Olympic medallists, David Florence (GB) and Robin Bell (AUS).

Benus negotiated the tricky middle section of the course with ease and set a lightning time of 106.02 to hold off Florence by three seconds, with Bell a further second back in third place.

Benus said that he had enjoyed the set up of the course.

“I always knew it was going to be tough because our Slovakian coach helped set it up,” Benus said. “I knew I had to be quick because the quality of the field was very good.

“I am very happy with the new rules as coming from Slovakia, Martikan is very hard to beat and now I have a chance to compete internationally as well.”

Fellow Slovakian Jana Dukatova prevailed in the final of the women’s K1 with a superb time of 115.85 to lead home Austrian Corinna Kuhnle and Australian Rosalyn Lawrence.

Dukatova, who entered the event as favourite to claim the gold medal, finished five seconds clear of the field. Kate Lawrence finished in fifth position, while Jessica Fox ended up in sixth place.

Olympic champions Pavol and Peter Hochschorner of Slovakia were pushed all the way in the final of the men’s C2 by the Slovenian combination of Ladislav and Peter Skantar but eventually triumphed in a time of 114.30, to pip their European rivals by only 0.34 of a second. Australian’s Robin Jeffrey and Kynan Maley rounded out the top three.

Italian Daniele Molmenti flew down the 2000 Olympic course to win the final of the men’s K1 in a time of 102.93. Molmenti was the last paddler to take to the course and did enough to finish just over half a second clear of Australian Will Forsythe, with defending champion, Austrian Peter Kauzer finishing in third place.

Molmenti has been training in Australia and applauded the state of the facilities.

“I’ve been here for two months now for training, and of course summer, but although this may not be the most important race of the year it is a good start for me,” Molmenti said. “The course and the facilities here are world class and it has put me in a great position for the rest of the year.”

Leanne Guinea swept to victory in the final of the women’s C1 with a time of 152.56 to finish almost 18 seconds clear of fellow Australian’s Rosalyn Lawrence and Jessica Fox.

The women’s C1 is a new introduction to the international calendar and will make its first appearance at the world championships in 2010, and the results for the Australian paddlers will be seen as promising.


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