Kayak medal within reach of Langford

PATRICIA YOUNG
The Globe and Mail

As the Sydney Games draw closer, Canadian Margaret Langford has let the kayaking community know she will be in the hunt for Olympic gold. She had her best result of the season yesterday, a fourth-place finish against a tough international field.

Langford, of Lions Bay, B.C., was fourth in the women's K-1 (kayak singles) at the whitewater slalom World Cup final in Augsburg, Germany. Topping the event was Elena Kaliska of Slovakia. Kaliska secured the World Cup crown with her first victory this season, totalling 220.16 points. Mandy Planert of Germany was second with 226.04 points and Marcela Sadilova of the Czech Republic third with 226.62.

The Sydney Games in September will be the third Olympics for Langford. At yesterday's Olympic tune-up, the veteran paddler had two penalty-free runs in the final for 227.49 points. She looked as though she had second place tied up after a sizzling first run, but she faltered later in the day and was 10 seconds slower on the second run.

"If you're not exactly on the right line, this course eats up a lot of time," Langford said in a written statement. "I made a mistake at the top which cost me a medal. But ifs and buts don't count, so I'm a bit disappointed not to get the medal. But it's good to finish the World Cup on a strong note."

Langford finished eighth overall in the World Cup standings, putting her in a good position for a medal in Sydney.

The Canadian whitewater slalom championships will be held in Ottawa from Aug. 3 to 6.

Reprinted with permission

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