Kayaking: Boss denies friction

Ben Fouhy. Photo / Kenny Rodger

The boss of New Zealand canoeing says results at the world championships in Poland have fallen short of expectations, but denies the squad are unhappy.

The three men's crews failed to make the 'A' finals in Poland, fuelling speculation that the fallout from the historic Ben Fouhy-Ian Ferguson rift was having a negative effect. But Canoe Racing New Zealand chief executive Paula Kearns said reports from Poznan suggested otherwise.

"My understanding is it is very amicable over there. When he arrived, everyone shook hands and he's been having meals with the rest of the team," Kearns said. "Even though he's travelling and staying separately it is all amicable."

Five-time Olympic medallist Ferguson said he had not communicated with Fouhy since he had rejoined the team.

"He probably hasn't spoken to him in the past few months," Kearns said. "Ben's had his own arrangements overseas and been doing his own thing.

"He has a panel he is accountable to. The panel comprises Martin Toomey of Sparc, myself and Grant Restall, his nominated manager."

In a posting on his website, Fouhy indicated he was enjoying being back and competing at the highest level.

"The conditions [overnight Thursday] were testing for the best of paddlers. In my heat a fellow competitor fell in while in the start block," he wrote.

" I didn't paddle well enough in the heats and paddle to my seed, therefore ended up in a very competitive semifinal ... "

Fouhy spent time with K4 paddler Mike Walker, using the latter's surf-lifesaving background for advice on how to counter the swell and choppy conditions.

"I am pleased that I adapted to the conditions and used all of my experience to paddle comparatively 5s better in the semifinal than I did in the heats."

Fouhy, who raced the ninth quickest semifinal, noted he might have qualified for the 'A' final had he posted his time in another semifinal.

However, given his limited build-up and a niggling wrist injury, there is genuine hope he will quickly return to the K1 top table.

The K4 and K2 pairing of Steven Ferguson and Troy Burbidge struggled.

"Everybody was a bit disappointed they didn't make 'A' finals," Kearns said. "There's room for improvement. I'm absolutely sure they went out there and gave it 150 per cent but we need to review it when they came back.

"We need to work out what the gaps are and how we can close them."