1 00:00:06,667 --> 00:00:10,467 Speaker 1: You're listening to the Weekend Sport podcast with Jason Fine 2 00:00:10,707 --> 00:00:12,067 Speaker 1: from Newstalk zb. 3 00:00:12,827 --> 00:00:16,547 Speaker 2: Undoubted highlights of the Paris Olympic Games this year was 4 00:00:16,627 --> 00:00:22,067 Speaker 2: Finn Butcher winning gold in the inaugural Olympic kayak cross event. 5 00:00:22,307 --> 00:00:25,707 Speaker 3: There it is they plunge in whereas Butcher positioned himself. 6 00:00:25,987 --> 00:00:28,987 Speaker 3: He's made a strong start. Butcher, he's in first. He's 7 00:00:29,027 --> 00:00:31,467 Speaker 3: in the gold medal position as they make their way 8 00:00:31,507 --> 00:00:34,707 Speaker 3: down the course and he's got a two boat length lead. 9 00:00:35,227 --> 00:00:38,867 Speaker 3: Superb start for Butcher. He hits around gate number one 10 00:00:39,387 --> 00:00:44,947 Speaker 3: and powers his way down the whitewater rapids. He completes 11 00:00:45,027 --> 00:00:49,387 Speaker 3: the eskimo role and heads for the first upstream gates. 12 00:00:49,667 --> 00:00:53,387 Speaker 3: Finn Butcher is still in the gold medal position as 13 00:00:53,427 --> 00:00:57,067 Speaker 3: he makes his way down the course through gate number three. 14 00:00:57,507 --> 00:01:01,827 Speaker 3: It's the Britz behind him, Joseph Clark. Finn Butcher with 15 00:01:01,947 --> 00:01:05,747 Speaker 3: about a boat length advantage. Now as the Britz Clark 16 00:01:05,987 --> 00:01:08,747 Speaker 3: makes roads. He's around gate five. He has to go 17 00:01:08,787 --> 00:01:12,707 Speaker 3: across the grain. Here Butcher through gate six. Two gates 18 00:01:12,747 --> 00:01:18,067 Speaker 3: to go through seven, the all important upstream gates for 19 00:01:18,187 --> 00:01:21,507 Speaker 3: Finn Butcher just has to navigate it safely and the 20 00:01:21,587 --> 00:01:29,307 Speaker 3: gold medal is his. Finn Butcher is an Olympic champion. 21 00:01:31,267 --> 00:01:33,627 Speaker 2: Can you believe it? 22 00:01:35,107 --> 00:01:40,587 Speaker 3: Carve his name into New Zealand's sport history. The Butcher 23 00:01:41,267 --> 00:01:45,027 Speaker 3: delivers the goods in Paris. 24 00:01:45,987 --> 00:01:50,787 Speaker 4: Tremendous, tremendous commentary from Nick Beuley that brings it all back. 25 00:01:50,827 --> 00:01:54,147 Speaker 4: Finn Butcher is with us now, just over one hundred 26 00:01:54,227 --> 00:01:56,747 Speaker 4: days since that happened, Finn, since you stood on top 27 00:01:56,827 --> 00:01:59,667 Speaker 4: of that podium with the gold medal around Jeannette, what 28 00:01:59,747 --> 00:02:02,187 Speaker 4: stands out the most when when you think back one 29 00:02:02,227 --> 00:02:02,947 Speaker 4: hundred days or. 30 00:02:02,947 --> 00:02:09,467 Speaker 5: So, Yeah, oh man, quite a lot, to be honest, Like, 31 00:02:09,507 --> 00:02:13,507 Speaker 5: it was such an enjoyable time in my life, and yeah, 32 00:02:13,587 --> 00:02:18,987 Speaker 5: something I'll never forget. But look, I think we really 33 00:02:19,027 --> 00:02:22,187 Speaker 5: went to the game with you know, obviously wanting to 34 00:02:22,227 --> 00:02:25,347 Speaker 5: perform well and stand on the box, but also to 35 00:02:26,427 --> 00:02:28,827 Speaker 5: enjoy the whole thing because because you know, I've spoken 36 00:02:28,827 --> 00:02:30,387 Speaker 5: to a lot of people who have been to the 37 00:02:30,387 --> 00:02:33,907 Speaker 5: game before and maybe not let themselves enjoy it because 38 00:02:33,907 --> 00:02:37,347 Speaker 5: I've put so much pressure on themselves and then potentially 39 00:02:37,387 --> 00:02:39,147 Speaker 5: not even not performed well. 40 00:02:38,987 --> 00:02:39,467 Speaker 6: Because of that. 41 00:02:39,587 --> 00:02:43,667 Speaker 5: So I think probably actually just what stands out as 42 00:02:44,467 --> 00:02:48,867 Speaker 5: the way that I myself but also Aaron, my coach, 43 00:02:49,507 --> 00:02:53,187 Speaker 5: We let ourselves enjoy the moment and gave ourselves little 44 00:02:53,187 --> 00:02:55,467 Speaker 5: time to where we can just pause and look up 45 00:02:55,467 --> 00:02:58,667 Speaker 5: into the crowd and be like, holy, you know, look 46 00:02:58,707 --> 00:03:01,267 Speaker 5: at that's pretty cool to be to be here and 47 00:03:01,467 --> 00:03:04,507 Speaker 5: to be there with each other and kind of go 48 00:03:04,627 --> 00:03:09,107 Speaker 5: full circle together. And yeah, obviously, you know, standing on 49 00:03:09,147 --> 00:03:12,307 Speaker 5: the podium and hearing the national wentth and getting played 50 00:03:12,427 --> 00:03:16,427 Speaker 5: was probably something that, yeah, I'll never forget, that's for sure. 51 00:03:16,867 --> 00:03:19,147 Speaker 2: Do you think perhaps, in hindsight, the fact you were 52 00:03:19,187 --> 00:03:22,427 Speaker 2: in a slightly more relaxed state, as you've just outlined, 53 00:03:22,787 --> 00:03:25,227 Speaker 2: might have been one of the reasons for your success. 54 00:03:27,147 --> 00:03:31,227 Speaker 5: Yeah, I mean I think though, Look, because it was 55 00:03:31,267 --> 00:03:35,667 Speaker 5: my first games, I spoke to a lot of Peoplehoo 56 00:03:35,667 --> 00:03:38,347 Speaker 5: had been before and you know, been around, and a 57 00:03:38,347 --> 00:03:41,707 Speaker 5: lot of my support team has gone through multiple Olympic cycles, 58 00:03:41,747 --> 00:03:45,587 Speaker 5: so you know, having all those people to sort of 59 00:03:45,587 --> 00:03:49,867 Speaker 5: guide me and and you know, like educate me and 60 00:03:49,907 --> 00:03:52,947 Speaker 5: let me know that it is a pretty crazy event. 61 00:03:53,107 --> 00:03:56,707 Speaker 5: But you know, we just wanted to focus on the 62 00:03:56,787 --> 00:04:00,587 Speaker 5: things that we could control. And you know, you can 63 00:04:00,667 --> 00:04:03,467 Speaker 5: kind of approach things two different ways. You can let 64 00:04:03,467 --> 00:04:05,907 Speaker 5: them sort of overwhelm you and stress you out. If 65 00:04:05,907 --> 00:04:08,547 Speaker 5: something goes wrong, you know, like the bus breaks down 66 00:04:08,707 --> 00:04:11,787 Speaker 5: or it's gone the wrong side of Paris, which happens, 67 00:04:12,667 --> 00:04:15,187 Speaker 5: you know, you can get stressed out and let it 68 00:04:15,187 --> 00:04:17,667 Speaker 5: overwhelm you or just you know, take it in your stride. 69 00:04:17,667 --> 00:04:22,147 Speaker 5: And I think it probably It's probably my nature anyway, 70 00:04:22,227 --> 00:04:27,027 Speaker 5: So it was just, yeah, trying to almost let myself 71 00:04:27,147 --> 00:04:30,787 Speaker 5: be who I am. And yeah, I mean it could 72 00:04:30,827 --> 00:04:34,427 Speaker 5: have gone either way, but I think it definitely contributed 73 00:04:34,467 --> 00:04:36,587 Speaker 5: to being in a good head space when I was, 74 00:04:36,867 --> 00:04:40,027 Speaker 5: you know, on those days, sliding off the ramp and 75 00:04:40,227 --> 00:04:42,787 Speaker 5: going for it. So yeah, I think I think it 76 00:04:42,827 --> 00:04:46,707 Speaker 5: was a pretty pretty crucial aspect and yeah, definitely something 77 00:04:46,747 --> 00:04:47,547 Speaker 5: I'm pretty proud of. 78 00:04:47,987 --> 00:04:50,147 Speaker 2: So the Kayak Cross was the second of your events. 79 00:04:50,227 --> 00:04:52,227 Speaker 2: You had the kayak single first of all, did it 80 00:04:52,267 --> 00:04:55,427 Speaker 2: help to have that events before the Kayak Cross? 81 00:04:57,467 --> 00:04:58,627 Speaker 6: Yeah, I think so. 82 00:04:58,627 --> 00:05:03,547 Speaker 5: So, like we had basically six days of Canus Stalem 83 00:05:03,587 --> 00:05:06,627 Speaker 5: and then four days of Kayak Cross. So in the 84 00:05:06,667 --> 00:05:11,147 Speaker 5: first three days of Canuslalem was the Woman's Kayak and 85 00:05:11,187 --> 00:05:13,307 Speaker 5: the men See one, which are neither. 86 00:05:13,027 --> 00:05:13,747 Speaker 6: Of my events. 87 00:05:13,787 --> 00:05:17,507 Speaker 5: So we had three days before I even started racing. 88 00:05:17,707 --> 00:05:19,267 Speaker 6: So we could kind. 89 00:05:19,027 --> 00:05:24,067 Speaker 5: Of go to the venue and pick and choose, you know, 90 00:05:24,187 --> 00:05:26,907 Speaker 5: the moments where I wanted to go and watch and 91 00:05:27,067 --> 00:05:30,107 Speaker 5: really kind of get used to the atmosphere. So then 92 00:05:30,147 --> 00:05:34,987 Speaker 5: when I actually started the canuslalem, it wasn't you know, 93 00:05:35,187 --> 00:05:39,107 Speaker 5: just hitting me in the face and overwhelming. So that 94 00:05:39,307 --> 00:05:41,747 Speaker 5: definitely helped for the slalom, and I think, yeah, so 95 00:05:41,987 --> 00:05:43,547 Speaker 5: by the time I got to the slalom, it was 96 00:05:43,547 --> 00:05:45,907 Speaker 5: already you know, three days of competition. I'd watched a 97 00:05:45,947 --> 00:05:48,067 Speaker 5: fear of it and kind of been around the venue 98 00:05:48,067 --> 00:05:50,827 Speaker 5: when it was full of spectators and everything. 99 00:05:50,907 --> 00:05:53,467 Speaker 6: So by the time where I started the slalom, I. 100 00:05:53,427 --> 00:05:55,587 Speaker 5: Was already pretty used to it and in a good 101 00:05:56,067 --> 00:06:03,227 Speaker 5: relaxed headspace. And then yeah, like finishing that actually pretty 102 00:06:03,227 --> 00:06:06,307 Speaker 5: disappointed because I got a fifty three compenuity from me 103 00:06:06,387 --> 00:06:09,267 Speaker 5: I think a gate, So didn't really finish where I 104 00:06:09,267 --> 00:06:12,667 Speaker 5: wanted to be. But you know, I'd already had a 105 00:06:12,707 --> 00:06:15,107 Speaker 5: good hit out. I knew I was in good physical 106 00:06:15,147 --> 00:06:18,187 Speaker 5: shape and yeah, like I said, like I say, I 107 00:06:18,267 --> 00:06:21,427 Speaker 5: was in a pretty good heads bace. So going into 108 00:06:21,427 --> 00:06:24,867 Speaker 5: the cross, I sort of knew that, you know, if 109 00:06:24,907 --> 00:06:27,067 Speaker 5: I if I can paddle to the way that I 110 00:06:27,107 --> 00:06:29,707 Speaker 5: know I can, then we'll be in for a good shout. 111 00:06:29,787 --> 00:06:32,667 Speaker 5: And like if anyone watched the kite cross, you sort 112 00:06:32,667 --> 00:06:37,067 Speaker 5: of you know, anything can happen, So we could just 113 00:06:37,547 --> 00:06:42,067 Speaker 5: basically focus on the start and then just rep into 114 00:06:42,107 --> 00:06:45,467 Speaker 5: that and then play it out lies the rest of 115 00:06:45,507 --> 00:06:48,387 Speaker 5: the way down the course. So yeah, I mean it 116 00:06:48,387 --> 00:06:50,827 Speaker 5: obviously turned out pretty well, which is cool. 117 00:06:51,267 --> 00:06:53,947 Speaker 2: Indeed it did so in the kite cross time trial, 118 00:06:53,987 --> 00:06:56,627 Speaker 2: then round one, quarter final, semi final, and the final. 119 00:06:57,067 --> 00:06:59,707 Speaker 2: At what point during all of that did you think 120 00:06:59,707 --> 00:07:00,547 Speaker 2: how much chance here? 121 00:07:04,507 --> 00:07:06,107 Speaker 6: I mean, I knew going in that I'd be a 122 00:07:06,187 --> 00:07:07,987 Speaker 6: chance for sure. 123 00:07:09,067 --> 00:07:12,987 Speaker 5: I've had good, good results previously, previously this year, but 124 00:07:13,067 --> 00:07:16,347 Speaker 5: also in the past few years, so you know, I 125 00:07:16,427 --> 00:07:18,467 Speaker 5: knew that I'll be I'll be a chance. 126 00:07:18,507 --> 00:07:20,747 Speaker 6: And then you know, I had a pretty. 127 00:07:20,507 --> 00:07:23,427 Speaker 5: Solid time trial, and then round one I actually got 128 00:07:23,507 --> 00:07:25,547 Speaker 5: kind of stitched up and ended up in one of 129 00:07:25,547 --> 00:07:29,827 Speaker 5: the hardest first rounds because of one of the top 130 00:07:29,867 --> 00:07:32,627 Speaker 5: guys top seeds, actually stuffed up the time trial, so 131 00:07:32,667 --> 00:07:35,467 Speaker 5: then got seated really low for round one and ended 132 00:07:35,547 --> 00:07:37,707 Speaker 5: up in my heat. So I had only a heat 133 00:07:37,707 --> 00:07:40,187 Speaker 5: of three, but the other two were really. 134 00:07:40,067 --> 00:07:44,667 Speaker 6: Top top quality peddlers. So yeah, I mean I was 135 00:07:44,747 --> 00:07:47,347 Speaker 6: kind of like, oh God, here we go, try by fire. 136 00:07:48,787 --> 00:07:52,147 Speaker 5: But yeah, managed to get a really good round in 137 00:07:52,227 --> 00:07:57,067 Speaker 5: there and kind of just started rolling from there. Yeah, 138 00:07:57,187 --> 00:07:59,227 Speaker 5: like you say, we had we had four das, so 139 00:07:59,267 --> 00:08:01,067 Speaker 5: it was time trial and then the next day was 140 00:08:01,147 --> 00:08:03,427 Speaker 5: round one and basically that's that one heat and you're 141 00:08:03,467 --> 00:08:06,187 Speaker 5: done for the day, and then the next day heat 142 00:08:06,827 --> 00:08:08,507 Speaker 5: and then you're done for the day, and then the 143 00:08:08,827 --> 00:08:11,627 Speaker 5: finals day was three rounds. So caught it to his 144 00:08:11,707 --> 00:08:15,827 Speaker 5: finals and yeah, I mean we were just taking each 145 00:08:15,867 --> 00:08:19,587 Speaker 5: heat as it comes because you can't look past it. Really, 146 00:08:20,307 --> 00:08:24,227 Speaker 5: everyone in that race was. It was a threat, and 147 00:08:24,307 --> 00:08:27,427 Speaker 5: you know, if you're out in front or if you're behind, 148 00:08:27,667 --> 00:08:29,667 Speaker 5: you know they're all trying to take you out at 149 00:08:29,747 --> 00:08:33,507 Speaker 5: some point. So really just trying to trying to be 150 00:08:33,627 --> 00:08:38,267 Speaker 5: in that in that moment. And yeah, pretty much. I 151 00:08:38,267 --> 00:08:42,187 Speaker 5: think going into the finals day, I was on a 152 00:08:42,387 --> 00:08:43,627 Speaker 5: I don't know if I was on a good side 153 00:08:43,627 --> 00:08:46,667 Speaker 5: of the draw. I think both sides are pretty pretty hard. 154 00:08:46,707 --> 00:08:50,987 Speaker 5: But yeah, I knew that I was feeling really good 155 00:08:51,027 --> 00:08:54,627 Speaker 5: and I had to start pretty dialed, which was which 156 00:08:54,667 --> 00:08:56,507 Speaker 5: went a long way to the winning the race. 157 00:08:57,027 --> 00:08:58,827 Speaker 2: It talk to me about when you're at the top 158 00:08:58,867 --> 00:09:00,867 Speaker 2: of the course about to be dumped into the water 159 00:09:00,907 --> 00:09:03,027 Speaker 2: with the other paddlers, do you did you have a 160 00:09:03,067 --> 00:09:07,187 Speaker 2: process or what is the last sort of thoughts before 161 00:09:07,227 --> 00:09:08,627 Speaker 2: that happens. 162 00:09:08,987 --> 00:09:11,107 Speaker 6: Yeah, I guess I can. 163 00:09:11,147 --> 00:09:14,587 Speaker 5: I can probably go through from from from ten minutes before. 164 00:09:14,387 --> 00:09:18,227 Speaker 6: You've got to be us going through the prestart. 165 00:09:18,347 --> 00:09:20,587 Speaker 5: So we've got a big tint at the top with 166 00:09:21,027 --> 00:09:24,227 Speaker 5: pre start and you collect your colored bourb and choose 167 00:09:24,227 --> 00:09:27,787 Speaker 5: your lane and then wait for the previous heat to 168 00:09:27,827 --> 00:09:29,227 Speaker 5: go and then go up the ramp. 169 00:09:30,547 --> 00:09:31,387 Speaker 6: And actually it. 170 00:09:31,387 --> 00:09:35,347 Speaker 5: Was pretty cool. So Kelly Bailey, who's from Wanaka, she 171 00:09:36,947 --> 00:09:39,187 Speaker 5: was judging there and she was actually the pre starter 172 00:09:40,147 --> 00:09:44,067 Speaker 5: and so I've got of grown up, you know, with 173 00:09:44,067 --> 00:09:47,387 Speaker 5: with her and in the community and Central Targe, and 174 00:09:47,427 --> 00:09:50,587 Speaker 5: she's been judging a lot of races and been around 175 00:09:50,587 --> 00:09:52,387 Speaker 5: the show and organizing a lot. So it was quite 176 00:09:52,387 --> 00:09:55,107 Speaker 5: cool to just have, you know, she was very professional 177 00:09:55,867 --> 00:09:57,867 Speaker 5: and her role at the games, but you know, every 178 00:09:57,947 --> 00:09:59,387 Speaker 5: round I was coming up and just sort of just 179 00:09:59,387 --> 00:10:02,267 Speaker 5: giving her a we hid nod and we're just just 180 00:10:02,347 --> 00:10:03,227 Speaker 5: acknowledge each other. 181 00:10:03,307 --> 00:10:05,547 Speaker 6: So that was kind of the first part. 182 00:10:05,587 --> 00:10:07,547 Speaker 5: And then you're through the pre start and just have 183 00:10:07,627 --> 00:10:10,027 Speaker 5: a chat with my coach and make sure I knew 184 00:10:10,627 --> 00:10:14,267 Speaker 5: what lanes to peck, and just almost a little yarn 185 00:10:14,587 --> 00:10:18,107 Speaker 5: like nothing, nothing too serious, and we just give each 186 00:10:18,107 --> 00:10:20,947 Speaker 5: other a little first pump and so a few words 187 00:10:20,947 --> 00:10:23,427 Speaker 5: and and then yeah, I choose to choose the lane. 188 00:10:24,147 --> 00:10:25,987 Speaker 5: Wait for a bit, and then we go up the 189 00:10:26,067 --> 00:10:28,707 Speaker 5: ramp and they start playing. Once you get in, they 190 00:10:28,747 --> 00:10:32,107 Speaker 5: start playing sort of heartbeat, like the heart beat sound, 191 00:10:32,467 --> 00:10:34,787 Speaker 5: and it's sort of like sitting up on the ramp, 192 00:10:34,947 --> 00:10:37,347 Speaker 5: you know, quite high above the water, you know, four 193 00:10:37,427 --> 00:10:39,547 Speaker 5: or five meters above the water and just steering out 194 00:10:39,547 --> 00:10:42,987 Speaker 5: to this massive crowd with the heart beat sound going. 195 00:10:43,027 --> 00:10:45,707 Speaker 5: So that's pretty you know, you're sort of like, just 196 00:10:45,787 --> 00:10:51,387 Speaker 5: drop me off now, we just send us yeah, so 197 00:10:52,227 --> 00:10:55,507 Speaker 5: you know, and then when when the the process starts, 198 00:10:55,507 --> 00:10:58,067 Speaker 5: so they they sort of go in position, and then 199 00:10:58,107 --> 00:11:00,907 Speaker 5: after that you're not not allowed to move. So so 200 00:11:01,067 --> 00:11:05,427 Speaker 5: I just wanted to be leaning back as far as 201 00:11:05,427 --> 00:11:09,227 Speaker 5: I could and then basically listen for the start beep 202 00:11:09,267 --> 00:11:11,947 Speaker 5: and react as fast as I could throw myself forward 203 00:11:11,987 --> 00:11:15,547 Speaker 5: and then almost let my all my practice take over 204 00:11:15,667 --> 00:11:18,987 Speaker 5: and just trying to land as good as I could 205 00:11:18,987 --> 00:11:23,867 Speaker 5: and get a good few strokes and just basically all 206 00:11:23,907 --> 00:11:25,907 Speaker 5: I wanted to do was was that was as much 207 00:11:25,947 --> 00:11:28,467 Speaker 5: intense as possible, because you know, that's. 208 00:11:28,667 --> 00:11:31,347 Speaker 6: The first part of the race and it's basically. 209 00:11:31,067 --> 00:11:33,787 Speaker 5: The only part you can control is how fast you 210 00:11:33,867 --> 00:11:36,267 Speaker 5: react to the ramp and how you can slide down it, 211 00:11:36,827 --> 00:11:38,267 Speaker 5: and then anything else is. 212 00:11:38,347 --> 00:11:40,147 Speaker 6: Like I said before, you just play it how it lies. 213 00:11:40,267 --> 00:11:44,867 Speaker 5: So yeah, pretty much just really focused on the start, 214 00:11:45,107 --> 00:11:47,547 Speaker 5: waiting for that beep and then just breap into it 215 00:11:47,587 --> 00:11:48,427 Speaker 5: as hard as I could. 216 00:11:48,747 --> 00:11:51,467 Speaker 2: Well, I think about the final, I think probably the 217 00:11:51,467 --> 00:11:54,227 Speaker 2: British peddler Joe Clark probably the favorite. I guess if 218 00:11:54,227 --> 00:11:56,027 Speaker 2: you were going to, you know, list out who was 219 00:11:56,067 --> 00:11:59,387 Speaker 2: the gold medal favorite. But man, that final, man, you 220 00:11:59,507 --> 00:12:02,867 Speaker 2: just gummed it from the start. Were never you know, 221 00:12:03,067 --> 00:12:05,107 Speaker 2: no one even challenged you. Was that like almost a 222 00:12:05,107 --> 00:12:07,027 Speaker 2: perfect race for you? The final? 223 00:12:09,147 --> 00:12:12,667 Speaker 5: Yeah, I mean, I guess any any race that he 224 00:12:12,747 --> 00:12:18,027 Speaker 5: wins the perfect race, but in this crazy, crazy. 225 00:12:17,667 --> 00:12:18,267 Speaker 6: Sport, it is. 226 00:12:18,307 --> 00:12:21,547 Speaker 5: But I mean, when I look back, I actually I 227 00:12:21,587 --> 00:12:24,267 Speaker 5: actually let go of my pedal when I landed off 228 00:12:24,267 --> 00:12:27,747 Speaker 5: the ramp, wow, which I didn't even realize when I 229 00:12:27,787 --> 00:12:30,387 Speaker 5: was in the race. But when I look back and 230 00:12:30,427 --> 00:12:33,307 Speaker 5: watched the slow mo. Yeah, my second strokes, I landed 231 00:12:33,387 --> 00:12:35,107 Speaker 5: on the right stroke and then my left stroke went 232 00:12:35,147 --> 00:12:37,827 Speaker 5: in the water and came up underneath the guys beside 233 00:12:37,867 --> 00:12:40,787 Speaker 5: me his boat, and so my hand came off and 234 00:12:40,787 --> 00:12:42,707 Speaker 5: then I did a right stroke and then grabbed it again. 235 00:12:43,027 --> 00:12:45,907 Speaker 5: So I think that was just like the zone I 236 00:12:46,027 --> 00:12:48,907 Speaker 5: was in and how much intent that I really I 237 00:12:48,947 --> 00:12:51,867 Speaker 5: wanted to head it with I did. I just was 238 00:12:52,787 --> 00:12:57,987 Speaker 5: zoned into two just going and yeah, I mean the 239 00:12:58,027 --> 00:13:01,187 Speaker 5: two beside me, Joe, who was probably the favorite, and 240 00:13:01,227 --> 00:13:04,507 Speaker 5: then the German guy no Way just clash pedals a 241 00:13:04,547 --> 00:13:06,147 Speaker 5: little bit, and then that gave me a bit of 242 00:13:06,547 --> 00:13:08,627 Speaker 5: water and I could just build a lead from there, 243 00:13:08,707 --> 00:13:12,947 Speaker 5: and from there I could back my like my technique 244 00:13:12,987 --> 00:13:16,187 Speaker 5: and my fitness as well. So you know, we've done 245 00:13:17,267 --> 00:13:19,827 Speaker 5: almost ten days of racing until that day. 246 00:13:21,027 --> 00:13:22,067 Speaker 6: But I knew that I was in. 247 00:13:22,467 --> 00:13:25,267 Speaker 5: Really good shape and I've got a good, good fatness 248 00:13:25,307 --> 00:13:29,107 Speaker 5: space behind me. So yeah, basically going to the finish, 249 00:13:29,107 --> 00:13:31,587 Speaker 5: I knew that if I could just hold enough of 250 00:13:31,627 --> 00:13:33,587 Speaker 5: a gap in front of Joe and get around that 251 00:13:33,707 --> 00:13:36,947 Speaker 5: last up stream before him, it would be It'll be 252 00:13:36,947 --> 00:13:40,067 Speaker 5: all mine. But yeah, if I think about it. It's 253 00:13:40,187 --> 00:13:43,147 Speaker 5: quite funny because you know, going into the last up stream, 254 00:13:43,227 --> 00:13:46,067 Speaker 5: I know I'm leading the Olympic Games, and if I 255 00:13:46,147 --> 00:13:48,907 Speaker 5: execute that, then I'll be the Olympic Champion. And it's 256 00:13:48,947 --> 00:13:51,747 Speaker 5: sort of like all of those things are just trying 257 00:13:51,747 --> 00:13:57,667 Speaker 5: to pull yourself out of the moment, and and you know, 258 00:13:57,947 --> 00:14:00,547 Speaker 5: I'm really proud of the way that I could really 259 00:14:00,587 --> 00:14:03,307 Speaker 5: focus and stay in the moment and actually execute that 260 00:14:03,427 --> 00:14:09,907 Speaker 5: and then afterwards let myself realize, because yes, it's pretty 261 00:14:09,947 --> 00:14:13,267 Speaker 5: easy to lose track of focus and just you know, 262 00:14:13,427 --> 00:14:15,827 Speaker 5: for a split second, and then things can go wrong 263 00:14:15,867 --> 00:14:16,387 Speaker 5: pretty fast. 264 00:14:16,467 --> 00:14:18,827 Speaker 6: So yeah, I'll say it was a perfect race. 265 00:14:20,027 --> 00:14:23,067 Speaker 2: How much How much did your life change after Paris? 266 00:14:24,467 --> 00:14:25,747 Speaker 6: Yeah, pretty significantly. 267 00:14:28,547 --> 00:14:30,507 Speaker 2: I saw you everywhere, man, you're an All Blacks test, 268 00:14:30,627 --> 00:14:33,307 Speaker 2: You're everywhere people recognizing you. It must have been quite 269 00:14:33,347 --> 00:14:34,347 Speaker 2: different when you got home. 270 00:14:34,267 --> 00:14:34,427 Speaker 6: Was it. 271 00:14:35,347 --> 00:14:39,827 Speaker 5: Yeah, Yeah, it was pretty different. Yeah, we're pretty unknown 272 00:14:41,427 --> 00:14:44,747 Speaker 5: in general, and then yeah, sort of having people recognize 273 00:14:44,787 --> 00:14:47,627 Speaker 5: them down the street and the coffee shop or you know, 274 00:14:47,667 --> 00:14:50,787 Speaker 5: getting invited into the all Blacks changing rooms, and it 275 00:14:50,907 --> 00:14:54,987 Speaker 5: was pretty wild. So yeah, it's been It's been awesome 276 00:14:55,067 --> 00:14:58,507 Speaker 5: to be fair, you know, like I'm just super lucky 277 00:14:58,587 --> 00:15:03,147 Speaker 5: to have found a passion in my life that I 278 00:15:03,187 --> 00:15:06,587 Speaker 5: can you know, I was able to do on the 279 00:15:06,587 --> 00:15:10,347 Speaker 5: big stage. And you know, like the coolest thing is 280 00:15:10,387 --> 00:15:12,707 Speaker 5: when people come up to you and just say, look, oh, 281 00:15:12,387 --> 00:15:15,387 Speaker 5: we loved watching you. It was an awesome sport and 282 00:15:15,467 --> 00:15:18,507 Speaker 5: you know, we're really really proud of you, and you know, 283 00:15:18,587 --> 00:15:21,867 Speaker 5: you people say, you know that I gave a lot 284 00:15:21,907 --> 00:15:24,747 Speaker 5: of joy to a lot of Kiwis, and man, that 285 00:15:24,747 --> 00:15:26,147 Speaker 5: that means a lot for sure. 286 00:15:26,227 --> 00:15:28,427 Speaker 6: So yeah, it's been it's been busy. 287 00:15:28,907 --> 00:15:34,627 Speaker 5: I'm back into training now, so yeah, we're back on 288 00:15:34,747 --> 00:15:37,427 Speaker 5: track to going in for another four years. 289 00:15:37,627 --> 00:15:39,307 Speaker 2: That's good to hear. How many people do you, Reckon, 290 00:15:39,347 --> 00:15:41,987 Speaker 2: have seen or touched your gold medal? Hundreds? 291 00:15:43,027 --> 00:15:45,987 Speaker 5: Yeah, yeah, hundreds, hundreds, that's for sure. I mean I 292 00:15:46,027 --> 00:15:48,507 Speaker 5: went when I came back straight out to the Olympics, 293 00:15:48,547 --> 00:15:52,747 Speaker 5: I went back down south to Alexandria and went into 294 00:15:52,907 --> 00:15:54,707 Speaker 5: my old schools and then a few of the other 295 00:15:54,747 --> 00:15:58,267 Speaker 5: schools in town and yeah, you know, all of those 296 00:15:58,307 --> 00:16:01,147 Speaker 5: little kids having a having a hold of it and 297 00:16:01,187 --> 00:16:03,987 Speaker 5: having a look and just man, it's something that I 298 00:16:04,027 --> 00:16:08,067 Speaker 5: probably didn't realize would be as cool as it is, 299 00:16:09,147 --> 00:16:12,867 Speaker 5: just seeing you know, kids eyes light up and just 300 00:16:13,067 --> 00:16:17,227 Speaker 5: and seeing their their dreams, you know, just tacking away 301 00:16:17,627 --> 00:16:20,707 Speaker 5: in their head. It's pretty amazing. So man, to be 302 00:16:20,707 --> 00:16:22,747 Speaker 5: able to bring that thing back back home to Centure 303 00:16:22,827 --> 00:16:27,587 Speaker 5: Targo and show those kids that you know, someone in 304 00:16:27,627 --> 00:16:31,707 Speaker 5: there and their position from their school, you know, can 305 00:16:31,907 --> 00:16:34,067 Speaker 5: can dream big and go and do whatever they want. 306 00:16:34,187 --> 00:16:36,507 Speaker 6: So yeah, it was pretty cool. 307 00:16:36,507 --> 00:16:39,547 Speaker 5: But definitely a few people have touched it and howld 308 00:16:39,587 --> 00:16:41,587 Speaker 5: it and put it on, but I'm. 309 00:16:41,307 --> 00:16:43,547 Speaker 6: Pretty proud of it. So to be able to share 310 00:16:43,587 --> 00:16:45,467 Speaker 6: it with people is really special. 311 00:16:45,667 --> 00:16:47,587 Speaker 2: So you should be So you should be fun and 312 00:16:47,627 --> 00:16:50,187 Speaker 2: one of the undoubted highlights of the year for sure. 313 00:16:50,587 --> 00:16:52,427 Speaker 2: You gave us all a lot of a lot of 314 00:16:52,427 --> 00:16:55,587 Speaker 2: pleasures in those few days in August, my friend, and 315 00:16:55,707 --> 00:16:57,907 Speaker 2: you've you've earned every plot that you've got. Thanks for 316 00:16:57,947 --> 00:16:59,747 Speaker 2: joining us today, mate, all the beast for the next 317 00:16:59,747 --> 00:17:03,027 Speaker 2: Olympic cycle roll on Los Angeles, twenty twenty eight. 318 00:17:03,067 --> 00:17:05,827 Speaker 6: I guess, yeah, yeah, thank you very much. 319 00:17:05,907 --> 00:17:08,827 Speaker 5: Yeah, yeah, I'm sort of I'm happy now to be 320 00:17:08,867 --> 00:17:13,147 Speaker 5: back into routine and yeah, looking forward to next four 321 00:17:13,227 --> 00:17:17,987 Speaker 5: years of trying to get better and yeah, keep pushing. Thanks, 322 00:17:17,987 --> 00:17:19,667 Speaker 5: So yeah, thank you very much for having me. 323 00:17:19,787 --> 00:17:22,107 Speaker 2: No thank you for joining us. Finn really appreciate it. Finn, 324 00:17:22,147 --> 00:17:24,587 Speaker 2: Butcher there Geez just totally unaffected by it. Or isn't 325 00:17:24,627 --> 00:17:28,387 Speaker 2: he just the same bloke who headed off to Paris, 326 00:17:28,427 --> 00:17:30,987 Speaker 2: but now with a gold medal and much more to come. 327 00:17:31,027 --> 00:17:33,387 Speaker 2: What a pleasure to catch up with Finn to reflect 328 00:17:33,427 --> 00:17:36,627 Speaker 2: on one of the great moments of our sporting year, 329 00:17:36,947 --> 00:17:39,267 Speaker 2: his gold medal and the kayak cross at the Paris 330 00:17:39,307 --> 00:17:40,187 Speaker 2: Olympic Games. 331 00:17:40,627 --> 00:17:43,827 Speaker 1: For more from Weekend Sport with Jason Fine, listen live 332 00:17:43,947 --> 00:17:47,227 Speaker 1: to News Talk zed B weekends from midday, or follow 333 00:17:47,267 --> 00:17:48,867 Speaker 1: the podcast on iHeartRadio.