Paris 2024 Olympics: Riley Fitzsimmons, surf life saving crewmates chasing K4 medal
They are a crew of polar opposites and fierce surf life saving rivals written off by international foes with an awful result in their first big race together. But that’s all about to change
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It’s about the time it takes to blink - .722 of a second - and it’s the number hand written on a piece of paper showing this group of mates they can be serious medal contenders in Paris.
It wasn’t a medal winning performance that proved to Riley Fitzsimmons and his surf life saving teammates in the Australian K4 to race in Paris that confirmed they could be medal contender in Paris - it was actually a loss.
Fitzsimmons said the heartbreaking fourth place at the last world championships - .722 behind the German winners but just .448 off the bronze medal - confirmed this new crew of surf life savers from both sides of the Queensland/NSW border have the talent, speed and will to be a force in France later this year.
It was a magical moment for Fitzsimmons, the only member of the K4 crew who raced to a disappointing sixth in Tokyo to return to fight another day in the Olympic arena.
And even that was in doubt for a while post Tokyo as the paddler from Avoca on the NSW Central Coast now based on the Gold Coast struggled to comprehend a result that failed to reflect the sacrifice, work and dedication of the 2020 Olympic crew.
“It drained me quite a bit,” said Fitzsimmons, whose three teammates in Tokyo - Murray Stewart, Lachie Tame and Jordan Wood - all retired post Tokyo.
“Key for me was having the right people with me and stepping away from the sport for a while was the best thing I could do,” he said.
“Me coming back is not just about winning a medal in Paris. It’s about a real opportunity for these young guys to experience something special that I also want to be a part of.”
Fitzsimmons, whose fiance is top Australian ironwoman Georgia Miller, said rivals have been shocked at the improvement of the Australian K4 team which less than two years ago finished an awful 17th in their first World Cup race together.
“We always have had our back against the wall since that first bad result. Other countries never thought too much about us,’’ Fitzsimmons said.
But that changed a year ago at the world championships where the Aussie battlers found themselves knocking on the door of a breakthrough medal.
“When we came to worlds and got fourth everyone was a bit surprised,’’ Fitzsimmons said.
“Going into this season we are a boat to keep an eye on.
“We will be watched by everyone.
“But I am very aware once we get to the Olympics all bets are off. You can go in as favourite’s and then not do so well.”
Fitzsimmons said the youth aspect of the crew of Noah Havard and Pierre van der Westhuyzen, both with only limited time in elite paddling, and Jackson Collins means they are still on a steep learning curve with more speed to be found.
Van der Westhuyzen’s brother Jean won gold with Tom Green on debut in the K2 at the Tokyo Olympic and has also been named in the team racing in Paris while Collins’ father Dan was also a Games paddler.
“It’s so awesome, it’s been so great to see Pierre carve his own journey and mature within the sport,’’ said older brother Jean.
“To share something like this is fantastic and I can’t wait to see how the K4 guys go. We’re going to be rooting for them and cheering for them big time.
“To share this with my little bro, who’s not so little anymore, is really special.”
Green and van der Westhuyzen have also been confirmed to the canoe sprint team for Paris along with Alyce Wood, who heads to Paris as a new mother.
Joining them are the K4 women’s crew of Aly Bull, competing at her third games, Ally Clarke, Yale Steinepreis and Ella Beere,
The 11 canoe sprinter paddlers are one of the largest teams so far named for Paris.
More from AMANDA LULHAM HERE
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Originally published as Paris 2024 Olympics: Riley Fitzsimmons, surf life saving crewmates chasing K4 medal
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