Estanguet goes for three in a row in C1 Slalom

(BEIJING, August 5) -- Will Tony Estanguet of France defend his two consecutive gold medals in the Men's Slalom Canoe Single at this year's Games?

Coach Vincent Redon says yes.

"[Estanguet] is very likely to get his third gold at the Beijing Games and I hope he can make it." Redon told Xinhua in an exclusive interview at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park on July 30.

If Estanguet succeeds in Beijing, he will go down in French history as the first athlete to win three Olympic golds in a row.

At the Sydney Games in 2000, Estanguet upset defending champion Michal Martikan of Slovakia for the gold. In the showdown four year later at Athens, Martikan finished first in the Slalom C1 final and looked set to reclaim his title, until a post-game video review confirmed that his helmet had touched a gate. The penalty dropped the Slovakian to one twelve-hundredth of a second behind Estanguet and gave the French athlete his second consecutive gold.

Despite "strong challenges" from big rivals like Martikan of Slovakia, coach Redon expressed confidence in Estanguet making it to the top of the podium a third time, saying the 30-year-old elite paddler was in good form in both "physical condition" and "technical skill".

He also noted that Estanguet pursues other interests to help him stay fit and relaxed, like massaging, surfing and skiing.

Born in 1978 into a family of slalom enthusiasts in the Pau region of France, Estanguet would go out with his dad and brothers in search of mountain descents to paddle in the rivers of the Pyrenees.

His older brother Patrice participated in the 1996 Olympic Games and ended up with a C1 Slalom bronze, while another brother Aldric was part of the national team before turning to a career in physical education.

Tony Estanguet emerged as the top competitor in the family, with a World Championship title, two European Championship titles and two World Cup titles to add to his two Olympic gold medals. Now a sports icon in France, he was awarded the honor of carrying the national flag at the Opening Ceremony of the Olympic Games in Beijing.

In Estanguet's quest for his third consecutive gold he will yet again have to face Slovakia's Martikan along the way. Martikan won the World Cup at the age of 16, the youngest canoeist ever to earn the title, and is a five-time World Champion (1997, 2002, 2003, 2007 and 2008). He also claimed gold in the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta before his two silver medals.

Despite Martikan's dominance, France has always been very strong in Slalom events, bringing home a total of 13 Olympic medals, four of them gold, since Slalom racing made its debut in 1972. Now, France stands at the top of the world ranking, followed by Slovakia and Germany.

Coach Redon hopes for a France sweep of the Beijing Slalom competitions. The country won two golds in Slalom at Athens: Estanguet's as well as Benoit Peschier's in the Men's K1.

There are four Slalom divisions in Beijing: Men's C1, Men's C2, Men's K1 and Women's K1. The competitions will be held from August 11-14 at the Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park.