Canoe Slalom

Lefèvre swaps ice for white water

Training in Australia is a great way to escape the European Winter and prepare for the upcoming season, according to former World Champion, Fabien Lefèvre (FRA), who will compete in the K1 and C2 categories at the Canoe/Kayak Slalom 2011 Australian Open on Friday.

“We have come to train in Australia because the conditions are quite good. Because it’s quite far away from everything you can be more focussed on your work.,” said Lefèvre.

Lefèvre, who has been training in Penrith since December, says that while winning is great motivation, he is focussed on identifying areas for improvement.

“It’s like a test at the end of winter training. It’s more about picking up information about your level, your technique and then using that to train for international selections,” he said.

The Frenchman has a big year ahead of him, heading home for the national selections in March, then onto the World Cup and World Championships later in the year.

Oceania Champion, Denis Gargaud-Chanut (FRA) is hoping to get a bit of a reality check when he competes in the C1 and C2 categories at the Penrith Whitewater venue.

“I just won the Championship in New Zealand and I feel pretty good. I just don’t want to get too comfortable because I have a bit of a road to go,” saids Gargaud-Chanut.

Partnering up with Fabien Lefèvre (FRA) in the C2 division, the dynamic duo are hoping to kick the year off to a good start following their silver medal success at last year’s World Championships in Slovenia.

“This will be the first event for us this year so were hoping to have a good run for the beginning of the season. We have a new boat so we really want to see what happens,” said Gargaud-Chanut.