Carrington prevails in ‘intense contest’ with rival Fisher
Olympic great Dame Lisa Carrington has booked her place in the K1 500m boat at the Canoe Racing World Championships after beating reigning world champion Aimee Fisher in the third and final race at the NZCT Canoe Sprint Championships 2022.
Carrington started strongly and held on for victory at Lake Kara¯piro on April 28 after losing the opening encounter on April 23 then coming back to win race two on April 24.
Carrington won the decider in a time of 1.48.86, with Fisher’s time at 1.49.47.
“Pipped just again seems to be the theme of the story. But she was spectacular,” Fisher said.
“We were out on the start line and we had a little moment out there, basically just do your thing. It just makes us both faster. It’s all good. I’ll be back.”
Fisher said they pushed each other to perform at their best across the three-race series.
“It’s such a privilege to be part of a contest this intense. I can’t even describe how I felt before the race and all the nerves and sleepless nights,” Fisher said.
“She’s brought out the best in me. I think we bring the best out of each other out there and it’s a pretty epic battle. That series will be some of the best racing of the decade. We’ll see what happens over the next couple of years.”
Unlike the World Championships, the Olympic Games allow each country to have two entrants in the K1 500m, so New Zealand would be well placed with the talent in the country.
Fisher, who withdrew from consideration for the Tokyo Games following a stand-off with Canoe Racing NZ over athlete welfare, is yet to confirm her future plans but indicated to Newstalk ZB’s Richard Wain at the weekend a spot at the Olympics was on her radar.
Carrington’s coach Gordon Walker said of Fisher: “There’s been quite a few conversations between her and the sport in terms of what it might look like going forward but both of them are really just trying to get themselves sorted for the K1 and perform as high as they can.”