Bill Bain emerges from the humid conditions in Singapore last weekend to be crowned the new Junior World Marathon Champion, and stake his claim of one of Australia’s most talented up and coming sprint paddlers.

Australian U23 sprint paddler Bill Bain has overcome extremely hot and humid conditions to win the 2011 Junior Marathon World Championship after crossing the line first in a spirited display in Singapore last weekend.

With unusual Marathon conditions present on the day with retaining walls and tourist boats creating a back wash that Marathon athletes are unfamiliar too, Bain utilised his extensive surf life saving background to adjust to the conditions the best taking out the victory in a time 1:40.04 to finish five seconds clear of Great Britain’s Jonathan Tye in 2nd with Gabor Havas of Hungry four seconds further back in 3rd position.
“I was so elated just to be an Australian hearing the Australian crowd cheer me.”

After competing at the ICF Canoe Sprint Junior World Championships in Brandenburg earlier in the year, Bain headed into this event eager to get one back on the guys that beat him in the K1 1000m at Junior Worlds.

This race was more than a medal, it was a chance to have a crack at Noe Balliant of Hungry and Lorenzo of Italy, who placed 3rd and 4th in the K1 1000m at Junior Worlds, both pipping me on the line.

“The main goal of the weekend was to place Australia on the world radar. This race identified the difference between winning a world Championships and placing second.”

Bain thanked coaches Mick Leverett, Norm Jackson, Peter Petho, Ross Macdonald and Angus and James Campbell who provided advise and a sound knowledge about how to best handle the portages throughout the race. Bain’s focus will now shift to the sprint discipline with Grand Prix 1 and 2, and the National Championships coming up this summer. 

“My focus is now on sprint, and hopefully getting a chance of racing with and against some of the bigger and faster boys in K2s and K4s.”

The 17 year old is also looking forward to competing at surf races in Queensland, and open water events throughout Australia for experience and strength development.

Photography: Carolyn Cooper