Paris Olympics 2024: Tokyo kayakers Tom Green, Jean van der Westhuyzen, Alyce Wood on course

Kayaker Tom Green could match the two-medal Olympic performance of the man who helped discover him in surf life saving after winning a second major Paris Games selection race

Tokyo Olympic gold medallists Gold medallists Jean van der Westhuyzen and Tom Green.

Kayaker Tom Green could match the historic two-medal Olympic performance of the man who helped discover him in surf life saving after winning a second major Paris Games selection race.

The Queensland surf life saver is on track to race both the K1 1000 and K2 500m at the Paris Olympics after wins in both events at the Oceania championships at Penrith.

On Sunday Green nailed the K1 1000m after he and Tokyo Olympic Games gold medal winning partner Jean van der Westhuyzen dominated the K2 500m racing on Saturday.

The win, subject to the expected ratification of Paddle Australia and the Australian Olympic Committee means he can chase tow medals in Paris.

Only the great Ken Wallace, a life saver from the Gold Coast who won a gold and bronze at the Beijing Olympics back in 2008, has achieved the feat of a two-medal Olympics in the sport.

Gold medallists Jean van der Westhuysen and Tom Green.

Ironically it was Wallace, now Australian team assistant Chef de Mission, who spotted Green’s talent and guided his move across to kayaking where he stunned at the delayed Tokyo Games in 2021 with his gold medal in the K2 with van der Westhuyzen.

Green won the K1 1000 in 3:31.96, beating canoe marathon world champion Mads Pedersen from Denmark and South Australian Maguire Reid.

Ken Wallace is now an Australian coach

Ken Wallace in Beijing.

“Another good race done, coming out with the win. It’s good to do a good time and put out a solid race,” Green said.

“We came here to win and get the spots for the Olympics. So happy with how the K2 went as well as the K1.’’

On Sunday canoeist Ben Manning provisionally secured an Olympic quota for Australia with his win in the C1 1000.

“It definitely means a lot, it’s what all the hard work was for, building up to this time and securing the quota spot that I unfortunately couldn’t get overseas last year,” Manning said.

“To get it here, and to know now that one step of the job is done and onto the next one … it feels really good.

“It’s super flat out there, no wind at all, which is really nice. Good to get out, and get the first race done now,” he said.

TOKYO HEROES AND COMEBACK MUM IN FINE FORM

SATURDAY. Tokyo Olympic heroes Tom Green and Jean van der Westhuyzen are on track for a tilt at a second kayaking gold medal in Paris and their old teammate Alyce Wood a third Olympics in Paris after major selection race success at the Oceania canoe sprint championships at Penrith on Saturday.

But Green and van der Westhuyzen won’t be defending their K2 1000m title in Paris with the event dropped since the Toko Olympics

Instead they will race the shorter K2 500m - a race they have trained for since Tokyo and are considered major contenders for medal glory at the 2024 Games.

“It is a relief. It’s huge to get it done and now just be able to train for the Olympics,’’ said Green, whose selection must still be formally ratified by the Australian Olympic Committee.

“The second Olympics will be huge. The first one, you just can’t belief you are there and we didn’t know what to expect.

“We also didn't have the best lead-up (due to Covid).’’

Alyce Wood on her way to winning an Olympic quota spot in the K1 500m last year.

Also on track to be racing in Paris is two-time Olympian Wood, on the comeback after the birth of her 18-month daughter Florence.

Wood was the first Australian home in the K1 won by New Zealander Amy Fischer, just edging out Central Coast teenager Natalia Drobot in the selection race in a performance standard time and watched on by her toddler.

“It’s really cool. This is different from the other two because of what I have in life now but it will be the icing on the cake for me,’’ Wood said.

“I never expected to go to one Olympics, let alone the possibility of three. So that makes this extra special

“I don’t know the science behind it but I do feel like I’m in career best shape after having her. I’m also a lot calmer. I don’t sweat the little stuff anymore.’’

Alyce Wood and her toddler Florence. Picture: Supplied

There have been few surprises at the trials with the top K4 team of Riley Fitzsimmons, Jackson Collins, Pierre van der Westhuyzen and Noah Havard winning their selection trial with a performance standard time.

This is also expected to have earned them a spot on the Olympic regatta startline.

The men's K4 in action ahead of the Paris Olympics

OCEANIA KAYAKING CHAMPIONSHIP PREVIEW

She’s been touted as one of the future stars of paddling but this teenager is keen to be turning a few heads now as our top kayakers battle to make the Paris Olympic team with top results at the Oceania championships at Penrith starting Friday.

Just 19, teenager Natalia Drobot is seen as an outsider to make the Australian team racing in Paris later this year but a favourite to be one of the stars of the Sport at the LA Olympics and Brisbane 2032.

But the young athlete from the NSW Central Coast now based on the Gold Coast at the national training centre is still keen to throw her hat in the ring by racing the K1 this weekend.

Favourite for the position in Paris is Alyce Wood who competed in Tokyo at her second Olympics before returning home to marry fellow paddler Jordan Wood and start a family.

Another gun is senior paddle Aly Bull, like Drobot a star surf life saver.

Natalia Drobot is also a top surf life saver

Wood trained throughout her pregnancy with daughter Florence and is now considered the leading contender for the K1 spot in Paris - a position she ratified for Australia when on her return to the world stage last year where she finished fifth in the women’s K1 500.

At the same championships, her first as a senior, Drobot finished fifth in the K2 with Kailey Harlen.

Alyce Wood raced at the Tokyo Olympics and is favourite to make Paris.

“Paris is a big goal but it’s not the end of the line for me, not at the ripe old age of 18,” said Drobot, also a talented surf life saver with multiple Australian medals.

“I’ve put perspective on it and it looks like it may be out of reach but I will give it a shot.

“I’m super happy with how I’ve been training day but day and happy with my results.

“I’m still behind Alyce but I’m not putting pressure on myself to perform. I just want to go out and do my best.”

Drobot needs to win this weekend and set a performance standard time to establish her as a true contender for the K1 spot in Paris.

KAYAKERS TO WATCH AT OCEANIA/GP 2 CHAMPIONSHIPS AT PENRITH

Key events outside the K4 racing to watch this weekend include the K2’s where Olympic champions Tom Green and Jean van der Westhuyzen will take on the likes of Riley Fitzsimmons, Jackson Collins, Noah Harvard and the younger van der Westhuyzen brother Pierre.

Tokyo Olympic champion Green will also be up against his K2 partner van der Westhuyzen in the K1.

In the K4, Aly Bull, Ally Clarke, world silver medallist Yale Steinepreis and Ella Beere will be chasing Olympic selection with a top performance.

Tokyo Olympian Alyce Wood is the favourite to snare the K1 spot but will face opposition from Ally Bull and rising stars Natalia Drobot and Kailey Harlen.

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Originally published as Paris Olympics 2024: Tokyo kayakers Tom Green, Jean van der Westhuyzen, Alyce Wood on course