Canoeing: Fouhy time confirmed as second-fastest yet

By TERRY MADDAFORD

Ben Fouhy's stunning victory in the K1 1000m at the World Cup regatta in Poznan, Poland, over the weekend assumes even more significance with confirmation yesterday his 3m 27.375s winning time was the second-fastest ever.

Only Norwegian Knut Holman's 1996 Olympic-winning time of 3m 25.785s is faster.

Taumarunui-born Fouhy switched from marathon to short course events just over a year ago and is now regarded as a rising star internationally. His win in Poland follows a first-up third in Hungary two weeks earlier.

Under national coach and four-time Olympic gold medallist Ian Ferguson, Fouhy is leading the sport in New Zealand towards a new golden era.

New Zealand paddlers turned in other noteworthy results in Poland. The K4 crew of Dave Kennedy, Owen Hughes, Steve Ferguson and Fouhy were fifth over 1000m and 500m (in which Pete Longdill replaced Fouhy). Katie Pocock was fourth in the K1 1000m and eighth over 500m.

In the K4 200m, Kennedy, Fouhy, Mike Walker and Longdill finished seventh. Other crews contested B finals on the last day of the regatta.

"I knew everyone was coming along well, but these results are beyond what I expected," Ferguson said.

"This trip was all about experience on the international stage. The team will not start their speed work until we get home later this month.

"Ben's third place in Hungary had everyone wondering what we were up to. I can't imagine what this win will do."

Attention now switches to Duisburg, in Germany, for the final World Cup regatta before the September 10-14 world championships in the United States where Olympic qualification will be at stake.