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Dual Paralympian Susan Seipel is ready to hit the water for her first international competition since she claimed silver at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, at the Para-canoe World Cup in Poznan this week.
“It feels so good to be back. I missed it so much – I’ve really missed travelling and competing internationally, so it’s great to be back,” Seipel said from Poland.
Seipel is part of the seven-person Australian team, which includes Amy Ralph, Mark Daniels, Ben Sainsbury, and fellow Paralympians Dylan Littlehales, Kathleen O’Kelly-Kennedy and John Maclean. For O’Kelly-Kennedy, Seipel’s training partner, the event will be her first time competing as a Para-canoeist after her transition from wheelchair basketball.
Seipel said it was nice to have some new faces around the team and new talent emerging in the sport.
“They’re at the very beginning of their careers in Para-canoe and it’s really exciting to have new people in the team and to share their enthusiasm for the sport,” she said. “I’m happy to kind of give them any advice if they’re asking for it and help them in what their journey will be.”
Nearly 100 athletes from 20 countries will be in action across the four days of competition, with the Ukrainian team expected to feature prominently.
“It’s great to see a few Ukrainian athletes here at this event. I’m excited for them, especially with what’s going on back home. I think everyone just wants them to do well.”
Watch the 2022 ICF Para-canoe World Cup live on YouTube
Seipel will compete in two events, the women’s VL2 200m and KL2 200m, both on Saturday.
“To medal in both events is my goal and to put down a good, solid time.”
The World Cup is the first chance for Australia’s athletes to measure themselves against international competitors before the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships in Halifax, Canada in August.
“The World Championships will be our main event for this year,” Seipel said. “That’s really the goal, so I’ve just been doing a lot of longer training and strength.”
Seipel also explained that the World Cup event marks the beginning of a journey of what she hopes will lead her to her third Paralympic Games at Paris 2024.
“Usually after a Paralympic year you might take a bit of a break. But, because it was shortened because it’s only three years until Paris, I don’t think anyone from Australia really wants to take a big break,” she said.
“It’s just such an exciting sport. It’s fast. I just love it.”
The ICF Paracanoe World Cup takes place in Poznan from May 26 to 29.
By: Lucy Hunt, Paralympics Australia
Posted: 27 May 2022
