Kristin Gauthier
Kristin Gauthier didn’t want to wonder “what if….” after she took a two-year hiatus from paddling to contemplate her sporting career.
A naturally-gifted athlete, Gauthier only started paddling at age 16 after she attended the Canada Day Regatta at the Rideau Canoe Club in Ottawa. ‘’It looked like the perfect way to spend the summer,’’ she said.
It took her a few years to catch up to the other paddlers in her age group most of whom had been racing since they were children and were battling for spots on Canada Games teams and junior teams by the time they were teenagers.
‘’I experienced a lot of frustration trying to make the national team and I thought maybe this wasn’t a realistic goal for me,’’ said Gauthier, who sat out the 2002 and 2003 seasons. ‘’But I missed
it and I decided that I would do everything I can in the next two years to make the national team so that I have no doubts. In 2005 I made the world championships team.’’
And in 2008, she was marching in the opening ceremonies at the Olympic Games. She raced the K-2 and K-4 500 races in Beijing.
Gauthier is now part of Canada’s strong women’s K-4 500 crew with Emilie Fournel, Mylanie Barré and Genevieve Orton which placed eighth at the world championships last year in Halifax. The foursome is together again this year with plans to gain more ground on the international field. Gauthier is also improving in the K-1 500 and raced a solo event for the first time at a World Cup this spring.
Contact Lorraine Lafreniere at CKC to add your name to the growing list llafreniere@canoekayak.ca
