Emily Apel secures space in the national team – the dream of competition with Sister Elena Lilik
« All good things are three, » said Emily Apel overjoyed with a photo of herself with paddle in hand, hugged her father Thomas Apel, the national coach of the kayak women. In the third attempt, his younger daughter had made the leap into the German senior team in the canoe slalom. After two second places in the qualification at the Augsburg ice channel, the 22-year-old sealed the leap into the performance class with another second place. Now the family hopes that her four -year -old sister Elena Lilik, the Olympic silver medalist of Paris in the Canadian one, after your Wrist surgery will soon be competitive again. Then the sisters could both start at the major international competitions this year such as the World Cups or the World Cup in Australia.
« I really wanted to do it this year, even though I didn’t say that so loudly, » said Emily Apel after her success in Markkleeberg. She is overjoyed, especially over the second place behind the qualifying winner Ricarda Funk. In the end, the third place would have meant that he would have to compete against her sister Elena in a later, internal excretion. Because she could not take part in the qualification due to injury, Lilik then has the opportunity to prevail against the third in all boat classes. « I tried to suppress this as much as possible, that would have been the worst-case scenario, » admits her sister Emily.
Wahl-Augsburg-based Ricarda Funk with ideal yield of six wins in six races
According to the ideal yield of six wins in six races, the Wahl-Augsburg-based Ricarda Funk (KSV Bad Kreuznach) was the undisputed number one in kayak one of the women, third, her club mate Paulina Pirro. « It was probably one of the best quality I have had in my career so far. I am most happy about my last run. I was finally in this flow. I was completely in there. I just love that if it is, » said the 33-year-old radio.
Kayak specialist Noah Hegge made it exciting again after his two victories and third place in the first part of the qualification in Augsburg in the fourth race in Markkleeberg when he only paddled in nine. But in the last two competitions the 26-year-old bronze medalist from Paris No more air ran and conjured up two flawless runs. « After winning the qualification last year, I really wanted this this year because my starting place for the kayak cross is secured, » he said. His ninth place annoy him despite his success, « I was a bit off the track ». He was glad that he found his mode and calm back.
AKV paddler Hannes Aigner trains one year without a coach
In the end, they were not necessarily to be expected to be clear in the World Cup team of Stefan Hengst (Kr Hamm) and Hannes Aigner (Augsburger KV), since they no longer belong to the training group of DKV coach Paul Böckelmann. « It was not bad for the general conditions I had, » said Aigner. « I couldn’t get my performance fully, but I didn’t know exactly in advance. I have been working almost alone without a coach for a year now, I have driven a single time in preparation since last year. Accordingly, it was a big surprise what would come out of it. » Stefan Hengst also qualified as the winner of the points rating for the kayak cross team.
Canadier routinier Sideris Tasiadis (Kanu Schwaben Augsburg) has confidently closed the sack. He had already won three victories in three races on his home route on the ice channel. With a second place in the first race of Markkleeberg, the 34-year-old had the qualification in his pocket and is looking forward to an exciting Nach Olympic season. « In any case, I’m trying to be at the World Cup final in Augsburg and then of course at the World Cup at my climax. »
