Finn Butcher of New Zealand wins gold in the Kayak Cross, Paris 2024 Olympics. Photo: www.photosport.nz
New Zealand's Olympic canoe slalom champion Finn Butcher isn't feeling any pressure as he heads into his favoured event at the World Championships in Penrith.
Butcher is competing in his first major global event since winning the kayak cross gold medal in Paris last year.
The Alexandra paddler first competed at the Penrith course as a 14-year-old and earlier this year won the Oceania K1 gold medal and the kayak cross bronze medal in the Oceania champs on the course.
Now he takes on the world as an Olympic champion.
Pressure? Not really.
"I just get on with it I guess," Butcher told ICF Media.
"I don't notice the pressure too much, I just try and get on with it. I have the mindset to do my best all the time, and that's all you control.
"But I guess there is a bit of outside pressure and expectation, it definitely has in parts during the season played on my mind."
Thirty-year-old Butcher won a silver medal in the kayak cross at the 2021 world championships in Bratislava.
He has qualified for Friday's semi-finals in the K1 and will compete in the Kayak Cross on Saturday.
Finn Butcher of New Zealand wins gold in the Canoe Slalom gold medal final, Paris 2024. Photo: www.photosport.nz
Butcher has fond memories of his Paris Olympic success.
"It still gives me tingles. It was pretty special," he told ICF.
"I'm being asked for photos and signatures at the supermarket," he laughed.
"Absolutely people are recognising me, which is pretty crazy, but it's so cool. People just love it.
"I had so much feedback from people outside of paddling who said that kayak cross was their favourite sport they watched at the Olympics. I'm sure that did me a few favours with the public."
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