Fresh from victory in Spain, newly crowned kayak world champion Peter Kauzer says it was Olympic disappointment in Beijing that gave him the drive for his most successful season ever - and now it’s game on for London 2012.
Slovenian kayaker Peter Kauzer has had the most successful season of his career in 2009, dominating the world kayaking scene with wins at the World Cup, World Series and the Slovenian National Championships. Then at the White Water World Championship in Seu d'Urgell, Spain, an unmissable event for any self-respecting kayak pro, the 26-year-old convincingly beat all the competition once again, finishing two seconds clear of his nearest rival in the single class.
And despite his earlier season successes, he was as surprised as anyone to win. “When I was paddling down the course I just took it step by step, stroke by stroke.” He says. “The problem with me is, when I have a good run to me it feels like I’m paddling really slowly and that it’s not going well, so when I crossed the finish line and saw the result I was just so stoked.”
Because his was the penultimate run of the day, Kauzer’s fast time guaranteed him a medal, but then there was an agonising wait for the last man to run, a local with a home advantage, before Kauzer could be sure of the win.
Samo Vidic/Red Bull Photofiles
Kauzer’s sport has been a family affair from his first attempts at just six years old. “My father was a paddler also and every time we went to the seaside he brought a boat with him and put me in,” he says.
“In 1991 I was in my first race at seven years old and ever since everything is just about kayak. But I never thought I would be a world champion. It was just a dream and it’s finally come true.”
Kayaking is big in Slovenia, and the country has produced some of the best athletes in the sport. “People know us Slovenian paddlers by our technique and feeling for the white water,” says Kauzer. “In history we had good results, medals at the Worlds, at the Olympics so, maybe it’s in our genes. Good results are good for youngsters who get motivated, saying ‘I want to be like him’. You’re like an idol to the youngsters, and each generation can pass that on.”
“It’s every athlete’s dream to go and win an Olympic medal."
And Kauzer is fast becoming one of the most successful Slovenian kayakers of all time. The only event to elude him this season was the European Championship, and even that was a close-run thing. “I made one mistake on the last part of the course,” he says. “But without that one error I would also have won that race.”
But his eyes are on another other trophy: Olympic gold. “It’s every athlete’s dream to go and win an Olympic medal,” he says. “The fact it’s every four years gives it even higher meaning. But as yet I didn’t get one.”
Although he regrets leaving Beijing empty-handed, Kauzer is using the disappointment as fuel to drive him to the top in London. “Because of that my motivation for London is really high,” he says. “Maybe it’s the reason for this year’s season. We have the World Championship next year and the year after, but the main goal in my career is an Olympic medal gold and that won’t change until I get it. I will do everything I can.”
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