Photos: German Grimm wins Kayak K1 Men's gold
(L-R) Fabien Lefevre, Alexander Grimm and Eoin Rheinisch (Photo credit: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Germany's Alexander Grimm won the Olympic Kayak K1 Men's gold medal in 171.70 here on Tuesday. France's Fabien Lefevre took silver in 173.30 and Ireland's Eoin Rheinisch got bronze in 176.91.
Alexander Grimm competes. (Photo credit: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Alexander Grimm competes. (Photo credit: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Alexander Grimm poses for pictures. (Photo credit: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images)
Canoe/Kayak Slalom Day 3 preview: Paddlers in the water
Updated: 2008-08-10 18:53:03
Tony Estanguet, the flag bearer (Photo credit: Getty Images)
(BEIJING, August 10) -- The first day of the Canoe/Kayak Slalom competition will see all paddlers roll out in full cylinder. The August 11 events at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park will attract the attention of Slalom fans from all around the world.
Slalom C1
Thirty-year-old Tony Estanguet of France was the champion in Slalom C1 for the last two Olympic Games. France's flag bearer in the opening ceremony, Estanguet hopes to win his third consecutive Olympic gold medal in Beijing. Estanguet was the winner of the 2008 World Cup in Prague with a time of 175.50 seconds. He then skipped the next two World Cups to concentrate on his preparations for Beijing.
Michal Martikán of Slovakia (Photo credit: Getty Images)
Estangeut's fiercest competitor will be Slovakian superstar Michal Martikán who has won four world championships and an Olympic gold medal in Atlanta. Martikán finished twice behind Estanguet in Sydney and Athens, but still holds the world record in canoeing Olympic medals. Like Estanguet, he skipped the World Cup series this year to focus on training for this summer's Olympic Games.
Robin Bell of Australia (Photo credit: Getty Images)
Robin Bell of Australia is close on the heels of his fellow competitors Estangeut and Martikán. Bell is the current World No. 1. The South Africa born canoer finished ninth in Sydney and fourth in Athens, but his steady performance in this year's World Cup series brought him to the top of the world rankings. If he can continue his good form, nobody will be surprised to see him standing on the top of the podium on Tuesday, August 12.
Other key paddlers include 2008 Pan American Champion Ben Fraker of the United States, World No. 9 Christos Tsakmakis of Greece, and World No. 10 James Cartwright Garland of Canada.
Heat one will start at 3:00 p.m. local time (UTC/GMT +8) and the second run will come at 4:52 p.m.
Slalom K1
Fabien Lefèvre of France (Photo credit: Getty Images)
Without defending champion Benoît Peschier, France's hope of retaining this gold medal lies on Athens bronze medalist Fabien Lefèvre. Ranking 37th in the world, Lefèvre skipped two World Cup series to adjust his form for Beijing this year. Nicknamed "Fabulous Fab," he was the favored winner four years ago. This time, he gets another chance to live up to expectations.
Helmut Oblinger of Austria (Photo credit: Getty Images)
Thirty-five-year-old Austrian veteran Helmut Oblinger may become Lefèvre's biggest challenger. Oblinger finished fourth in Sydney and 13th in Athens, but his steady performance in this year's World Cup series proves that he is still on form for another Olympic journey. Ranking third in the world, he is determined to have his gold–winning dream come true in Beijing.
Campbell Walsh of Great Britain (Photo credit: Getty Images)
Athens' silver medalist Campbell Walsh of Great Britain will be another challenger for the gold. He is the reigning European champion and currently ranks 56th in the world. He also skipped two World Cup series in order to concentrate on the Beijing Games.
Other notable paddlers include 2007 Augsburg World Cup winner Alexander Grimm of Germany, 2008 Tacen World Cup winner Peter Kauzer of Slovenia, World No. 5 Warwick Draper of Australia, and World No. 8 David Ford of Canada.
Heat one will start at 3:50 p.m. (UTC/GMT +8) local time and the second run will tip off at 5:42 p.m.
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