The Next Generation

Sat, 14 Apr 2012 09:12:07 -0400

For those of you who didn’t follow our Olympic trials last weekend, here’s the skinny; I missed the Olympic team by 0.11 seconds. It’s heart-breaking; to be that close to realizing my dream, my goal...well, it’s tough.

So here is how everything worked: the Olympic trials spanned over two days and consisted of four runs with the best three counting. It was a point system; you were awarded 0-points for 1st, 2-points for 2nd, 3-points for 3rd, etc.....lowest number of points wins.

The course for the first two runs was a tough one...I wasn’t able to be my aggressive self; however, I was able to stay in the game by getting a third place finish on my second run. Going into day two, for me to control my destiny and win the spot I needed to win both runs. I was feeling much more confident with the course on the second day, and although nervous and anxious was ready for the task at hand.

My strategy was simple; no risk, no touches, and strong, powerful strokes from top to bottom. This is my go-to strategy in Charlotte, and given my history, it’s been pretty successful. After my first run of the day, I was sitting right where I needed to be...winning. Going into my second run, I had the same mentality and was going to apply the same strategy. I knew the Olympic spot was far from being secure, but, I also knew that if I replicated my first run, I’d likely win the spot. So, I did the exact same thing, and executed my plan perfectly.

When I got out of my boat, teammate Sarah Boudens came running up to me with the bad news....youngster, Michael Taylor took me by 0.11 seconds. This gave him the win for the run, and although we ended up tying with points, this win acted as the tie-breaker.

After a couple of days to digest everything, I’m starting to come around. As mentioned earlier, I wanted the spot, going to the games was my dream! However, to see my fellow Ottawa River Runner club member, a former ‘Podium Prospect’ winner, and now teammate, Michael Tayler, qualify...well, I couldn’t be more happy. He earned the spot; he put it all on the line, and raced the best I have ever seen....amazing! He’s part of this next generation of kayakers working their way through the system here in Canada, and at the age of 20, has a very prosperous career ahead of him. He’s a dynamic, edgy, and exciting little racer and although his ascension to the top of the Canadian ranking was fast, it comes as no surprise...it was bound to happen. I look forward to watching him battle it out on the Olympic stage.

I haven’t made any decisions regarding my future. I’m still a bit cloudy. I will likely race both the World Cups in Pau, and Seu D’Urgell and with friends getting married this summer...it’s time to relax a little and spend some time at home, celebrating with them.

Thanks to everyone for cheering me on in Charlotte. What an experience to have 20+ people running you down, screaming and cheering you on! In addition, thanks to everyone for your texts, messages, phone calls, emails following the race...it helped a lot.

Anyways, time for a little rest and relaxation.

John

We got the Olympic spot!

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 07:05:00 -0400

Coming to Brazil, we had one mission; earn the Olympic spot for Canada. For the K1-M’s, I was confident that we were going to get this spot. I probably felt like the US Basketball ‘Dream Team’ did when they came to Athens for the 2004 games; cocky and arrogant. More specifically, I knew that if it wasn’t me winning, it was going to be David or Paul. I knew the Brazilians were fast, but, I had dismissed them. Led by the flying Pepe (Pedro Goncalves), the Brazilians were unbelievable! They raced with so much heart and passion and almost took the spot. So lesson relearned - never underestimate your competition, ever.

The race was crazy. As it wasn’t heavily contested, everyone was pretty much assured their spot in Sunday’s one-run final showdown (aka. the Finals). In the Finals, I was the first Canadian to go. As I had been struggling throughout the race, I was thinking and hoping that the river gods would finally cut me a break and let me race like I normally do; sadly, they didn’t. My strategy to win was to start quick, pick it up in the middle, and sprint to the finish. Well, I started quick and I sprinted to the finish, but I didn’t pick it up in the middle... I did the opposite and slowed down; I kept leaning off poles to try and shave seconds from my time that always makes me go slower. Knowing I had to be first, I was really mad at myself for making those mistakes and not giving my teammates some breathing room. David was second to go, and with a solid run, edged out Pepe (and Brazil) by 0.13 seconds...at this point, Canada had secured the spot. As Paul went immediately after David, he had no idea that we won the spot...he raced hard, but David ended up taking it.

I am so relieved that we got the Olympic spot; however, I am disappointed that I wasn’t a better teammate. I didn’t win a run! As such, I don’t feel like I did any of the heavy lifting. I am lucky to have some solid teammates who stepped up at such a pivotal time. Thank you guys.

So the showdown for this Olympic spot will take place in Charlotte April 12-13. It’s going to be four runs with the best three counting. With the warm weather in Ottawa, I’ll be back in the boat at home for a few days before making the pilgrimage south to Charlotte.

See you soon sweet Charlotte...time for a hair-cut.

John

photo credit: Dan Groeneveld.

John Hastings Canadian National Kayak Team Member

The Next Generation

We got the Olympic spot!