Exciting New Olympic Event: The gates open. That is about the only certainty. There is the briefest moment of serenity before they do. A time for deep breaths to calm rapidly beating hearts as the adrenaline soars.
Chaos Unleashed: The Ramp-Drop
Then, all hell breaks loose. What unfolds after the ramp drop is a dynamic disorder – a confused kaleidoscope of brightly colored boats powered by paddles brandished frantically, tearing through the unforgiving white water.
Brutal and High-Octane Fun
It is brutal, full-contact, high-octane fun which, for good measure, demands competitors must also submerge themselves to complete a 360-degree boat roll.
Champion of the Chaos: Kimberley Woods
At the end of it all, Britain’s Kimberley Woods is the kayak cross world champion. “Hectic. Hectic. That’s what I love so much about it – you never know what is going to happen,” Woods, 28.
Unpredictability at Its Core
“You will always have the favorites in the race and you know they are very strong contenders. But so many things can go wrong. So many things can happen both in terms of your plans and other paddlers intruding on them.”
A Fitting Tribute to the New Olympic Addition
That Woods, who claimed her first individual world title at Lee Valley last September, has little sense of what will happen at Paris 2024 is a fitting tribute to canoeing’s latest Olympic addition.
The Unique Challenge of Kayak Cross
The canoe and kayak singles remain the individual races against the clock as seen at Tokyo 2020, but this time they are complemented in the program by the eye-catching kayak cross, which pits four athletes in direct competition.
Navigating Upstream and Downstream Gates
Upstream and downstream gates must still be navigated and speed remains crucial – but not as paramount as speed of thought in a fast-changing landscape.
Battle of the Boats
All courtesies are left on the start line before the boats do battle, colliding repeatedly as they fight for the best line, and often ruining the best-laid plans.
The Thrill of Inconsistency
“I love that it is so inconsistent in a way that you just don’t know what is going to happen,” Woods says. “You can’t plan for anything. You can only plan to react in the moment.”
Instinctive Excellence
“Hopefully you can react well and make good decisions at the moment. That is one of my strengths – I’m instinctive, which is probably why I’m good at it.”
Team GB’s Strong Contingent
Woods will be part of a Team GB canoeing squad full of medal potential in Paris, alongside Olympic medallists Joseph Clarke Mallory Franklin, and Adam Burgess – who missed out on the Tokyo podium by 0.16 seconds.
Aiming for Gold in Chaos
Despite the anticipated chaos, Woods will hope to replicate her kayak cross-world gold – and will also compete in the women’s kayak singles (K1), in which she finished 10th on her Olympic debut three years ago.
Overcoming Adversity
Her breakthrough triumph, achieved in front of a home crowd last year, was an emotional achievement for Woods, who has overcome serious mental health issues to reach a second Games.
A Journey of Resilience
Woods, who pursued canoeing from a young age after watching a video of her aunt – herself a world junior medallist, In 2020 that she had overcome depression and self-harm, which she linked to being bullied as a child.
Sport as an Escape
Sport offered an escape – and it has taken her to the top of the world. “It is something that has been a dream since I was a junior,” says Woods.
A Moment to Cherish
“I watch the final back if I’m feeling a bit down. It makes me realize how far I’ve come and how big that achievement was. I get those same feelings again and that will remain recorded on my TV for many years.”
Continuing the Momentum
Woods, who also won the overall kayak cross World Cup title last year, continued her Paris preparations with bronze at the canoe slalom World Cup in Krakow in June.
The Countdown to Paris
The kayak cross competitions begin in Paris on 3 August at Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium, with an initial time-trial round to determine the heats.
Ready for the Challenge
With Olympic experience to call upon and evidence she can win major titles, Woods will be ready as she waits for the gates to open – and the mayhem to start.
Belief and Determination
“The belief was there in Tokyo, but it is there now. It kind of scares me a little bit to think what could happen – in a good way,” says Woods.
Internal Pressure
“There is that internal pressure, knowing I can go out there and win each race, but it’s more wanting to than needing to – I think there’s a big difference between those two things.”
Dreaming of Olympic Gold
Contemplating what it would mean to win Olympic gold, Woods adds: “I’ll be distraught. Everything would just come out. I was crying at the top of the podium in London after winning the world. I’m hoping I will be more composed – but there will probably be some ugly photos of me crying happy tears.”
A Journey Worth Every Tear
“It would be a nice moment to realize that all the effort, tears, hurt and ups and downs have been worth it.”
