Australian slalom canoeist Robin 'Robbie' Jeffery has set his sights on becoming one of the world's top 10 competitors in the C1 category this year after turning his focus to the solo event. He teamed with fellow West Australian Kynan Maley to compete in C2 at last year's London Olympics.

But Robbie showed his rising status in C1 by claiming his first international open medal, a silver in the men's C1 final at the Australian Open at Penrith, NSW, last month. The 25-year-old finished just behind German Franz Anton. Czech Stanislav Jezek took bronze.

"It was awesome. Stanislav Jezek, I think, is sixth or seventh in the world at the moment but he is a bit of a legend in our sport. Talking to him afterwards, he just came up to me and said: 'You've changed, it's good'. I was pretty stoked with that."

Robbie, who was already leading national selection in the event with two races remaining in Tasmania last weekend, also formed a C2 combination with Ethan Hodson, from NSW, to finish fourth in the final. Robbie said he aimed to represent Australia in C1 and C2 at the 2016 Olympics.

"I recognised that things weren't going the way I wanted them to in the C1 so I felt there was a big need for change there. I have changed my paddling style quite a lot, changed my boat and got new coaches, which is starting to pay off."

Team selections last weekend

Nestled amongst some of Australia’s most beautiful landscapes Bradys (Tasmania) was a fitting conclusion for the selection showdown with Rosalyn Lawrence, Robin Jeffery, Lucien Delfour and Jessica Fox once again the victors in a repeat of yesterday’s selection 3 results.

Robbie continued his dominance and a clean sweep of the men’s C1 selection events with victory. He produced a fast and clean final run winning in 99.06, 0.98 seconds ahead of Melbourne’s Christian Fabris with New South Welshman Ian Borrows third 3.53 seconds behind Robbie’s winning time. Robbie on Facebook:

Selection's done and dusted for another year. So stoked to be selected in C1 & C2!!

Robbie selected in the C2 with Ethan Hodson. The pair are being coached by Nick Smith, who led the British team to gold in London.

Bradys - Tasmania. Never been there or seen it? It's a beautiful course! Watch an archive video here.