Canoeists in strife

Press, 22 June 1984, Page 32

Canoeists in strife

PA Wellington

A virus has hit the New Zealand canoeing team’s preparation for an important pre-Olympic regatta in West Germany. The team manager, Bill Garlick, reported that New Zealand’s results at the Duisburg regatta starting today would be adversely affected by the virus which had disrupted training for more than a week. Several of the team had been bedridden for days and some scheduled training sessions virtually abandoned. The world championship bronze medallist, Alan Thompson, competing in the KI 1000 m event, along with Grant Bramwell and Robbie Jenkinson, were the worst hit.

Ed Richards, aiming for the KI 500 m, was not as bad, while lan Ferguson and Paul MacDonald had only a mild dose.

“Normal training resumed only six days before the regatta,” said Mr Garlick.

“Results at Duisburg will reflect the illness, but the Olympic Games outlook is probably unaffected.” Duisburg is the first of New Zealand’s pre-Olympic programme and will be followed by more competition at Copenhagen on June 29.

A total 29 countries will be competing at Duisburg, but Mr Garlick said that the East German and the Soviet Union teams will not be competing — they have a policy of not competing in West Germany. At Duisburg New Zealand will enter crews in the five Olympic events with no changes to crews named by the Olympic selectors.