Source: Glos Wielkopolski | Translation: Monika Marczak - The female kayakers have been the flagship of Polish kayaking for several years. The team that medalled at the last World Championships had its first major camp in Livigno, Italy last year December.

The charges of Poznań coach, Tomasz Kryk, were in the Alps from 30 November for almost three weeks. They had the opportunity to completely recharge their batteries... 'The main goals of the camp were to build aerobic capacity and muscle strength, as well as improve overall fitness. An important element is the use of thin air to improve blood parameters, because we trained at an altitude of over 2000 MASL', explained Kryk.

This was the kayakers' second visit to Livigno this year. The previous time was before the most-important events of the season, i.e. the European and World Championships. The first competition was not as successful as the World Championships, during which our athletes won gold in the relay, silver in the K4 and silver in the K1 200 (Marta Walczykiewicz from Kalisz). 'We stayed at Hotel La Tea at an altitude of 2200 MASL, but the main training takes place at an altitude of 1800 MASL.

During the acclimatisation period, which is the first six days, we did downhill skiing', added Kryk. The second part of the camp consisted of activities under the slogan 'let's imitate Justyna Kowalczyk'. 'We did endurance on cross-country skis. We also trained at the gym and gymnasium. Many exercises aimed to integrate the group', highlighted the coach. There were 11 athletes at the camp: Beata Mikołajczyk, Karolina Naja, Ewelina Wojnarowska (Warta Poznań), Anna Włosik, Edyta Dzieniszewska, Marta Walczykiewicz (KTW Kalisz), Joanna Bruska, Aleksandra Janicka, Aleksandra górna, Anna Puławska, and Anna Godek. 'I've gotten accustomed to working with women. However, I'm not sure whether they have gotten used to my thankless role. To put it simply, sometimes I have to be their 'overseer'. I don't make it easy for them, but I hope that they know that without me meddling in some matters, there would be no medals at the Olympics or World Championships', the kayakers' coach said.

He will likely return to Livigno with his girls, because the best in the world (and not only kayakers) train at this Italian resort. 'In Livigno, Norwegian skiers were training with Marit Bjoergen at the helm, and the famous Spanish cyclist – Alberto Contador – was also there. So we were following in the footsteps of the best', ended Kryk.