Athens Olympic canoeing champion Tony Estanguet failed in the semi-final of "Good Luck Beijing" China Open Canoe/Kayak Slalom being held in Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park Friday afternoon due to his broken oar.
The French athlete gave up the rest of the water gates in the 280-meter long water course when he got a broken oar while trying to pass water gate no. 14.
He said that he still needs some time to get used to the water course.
"I came to build confidence," he told Xinhua in the mixed zone.
In France, there is no such artificial water course and therefore he has yet to get used to the white water course in the park, he added.
He dropped to the bottom of the line with a result of more than 400 seconds in the semi-final participated by 12 athletes.
The 29-year-old champion said, however, that he would practise more before next year's Beijing Olympic Games.
China Open Canoe/Kayak Slalom Racing is one of the series of events aimed at testing the sport facilities to be used for Beijing Olympics.
Source: Xinhua
|
Comment
Tell A Friend
Print Format
Save Article