Finn Butcher celebrates with his gold medal in the men's canoe slalom cross at the Paris Olympics. Photo / Getty
By Kris Shannon in Paris
Growing up in Central Otago, racing mates down the Kawarau River, Finn Butcher believed he developed an edge well before kayak cross made its Olympic debut.
The Kiwi today took that edge and turned it into a historic gold medal.
Butcher dominated the men’s final from start to finish on the slalom course at Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, becoming the first Olympic champion crowned in a captivating event.
Battling three-time world champion Joe Clarke and two more paddlers who had progressed from a series of heart-stopping races, Butcher hit the front before the first marker and left the rest trailing in his wake.
The 29-year-old could hardly fathom what he saw when, with the finish line fast approaching, he glanced over his shoulder and glimpsed open water.
‘Am I actually winning this thing?’ Butcher thought to himself. He was, he did, and New Zealand now have another kayaking hero.
“I couldn’t even comprehend it when I exited the last upstream and I was alone in front. It was wild,” he said. “Couldn’t be more happy, man. Crazy. It’s just massive adrenaline dump and I’m still processing.”
Kiwis may feel similar when they wake to the news. While Butcher had displayed pre-Games pedigree — silver in the 2021 world championships; third in a World Cup race this season; second in the test event on this course — such a glittering outcome could have been anticipated by only his most ardent supporters.
There were a few of those in the sun-baked stands. The gold medallist headed straight for his cheering section after the New Zealand anthem had been played for the third time in Paris; his mum and dad watching with girlfriend Courtney as Butcher achieved a dream just four years in the making.
Kayak cross was officially included in the Olympics in 2020, offering another prize to slalom paddlers who had previously competed only in a time-trial format.
Its inclusion has been an overwhelming success as a spectator sport, the boats dropping into the water and immediately locked in combat to edge ahead with space around the markers at a premium.
Butcher looked like a natural throughout the competition. He qualified sixth-fastest — with Britain’s Clarke leading the way — but won his first three contests before easing into the gold medal race with the required top-two finish.
After handing Clarke his first defeat when the stakes were highest, Butcher explained just why his aptitude was so apparent.
“We’ve grown up paddling in plastic boats and racing each other down natural rivers, like Citroen Extreme race down the Kawarau in Central Otago. We’ve been doing that since I was a kid.
“I think we had a bit of a step forward before everyone else latched on to it and then just kept pushing from there. We learn pretty quick and just tried to keep the learning curve in front of everyone else.
“I might not be like the most powerful, but we backed ourselves to learn the technique well and execute every time we can. It was epic.”
The celebrations should be the same, considering Butcher counted women’s winner Noemie Fox of Australia as among his closest friends. The kayaking community is tight on both sides of the Tasman and the Kiwi had already received hundreds of messages inside an hour of crossing the line.
Nothing, though, will prepare him for the wave of adulation set to wash over this country’s latest Olympic champion, the first male athlete to win an individual event since Mahé Drysdale went back-to-back in Rio.
“It’s pretty special to be on the world stage and representing my community,” Butcher said. “That was a big part of us being here — they’ve pulled me along to where I am as a person, as well as an athlete. So I’ll probably have heaps of messages now. I’ll get through them eventually.
“I’m just so proud to be representing New Zealand and Central Otago, Alexandra. I’m stoked to bring this home.”
Kris Shannon has been a sport journalist since 2011 and covers a variety of codes for the Herald.
Cycling is the biggest winner while some teams sports have taken a hit.