Lauren Fitzsimons | Australian Canoeing (AC) - AC has appointed Mike Pond as an interim 200m Coordinator to implement a nationally coordinated approach to the 200m events. National Performance Director, Richard Fox, said the initiative, which has been branded as a "Need for Speed", is designed to create a clearer focus on the specific requirements of 200m racing.

Fox said "there is a clear distinction in the training and competition strategies required for the 200m sprints, compared to the 1000m distance where Australia has had its greatest success, and we have not really had a clear national focus on the sprint events".

"We are delighted to welcome Mike into this interim national role where he will be working closely with other national and state based coaches and scientists to identify and communicate the different elements required for successful 200m training and racing at a junior, Under 23 and senior elite level"

The Need for Speed concept has come about following an internal review of the London Olympic cycle, which identified a need for a more nationally coordinated approach to the 200m events.

There are currently five 200m events on the Olympic program Men's K1 and K2, Women's K1 and Women's C1. Australia achieved a 6th place in the K2 200m with Jesse Phillips and Steve Bird and aims to do better in 2016.

"Firstly, we need to assess what will be required to make a bigger impact in the 200m events in 2016 and 2020 (how fit, how fast, how strong do we need to be?). And, secondly, how we can broaden this impact with speed improvements across other events, for example the women's 500m team boats", said Mike Pond.

"We are looking to improve our understanding of what is required from the best in the business across the different science disciplines, as well as from other sports. We will then communicate this knowledge and understanding throughout the system" Pond said.

Watch out for Australian Canoeing's Need for Speed Initiatives: www.canoe.org.au

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