OLYMPIC kayakers Caitlin Ryan, Aimee Fisher and Kayla Imrie returned to competition at the weekend refreshed and recharged, with firm plans to increase New Zealand's crop of top female paddlers.
Part of that plan could mean a break up of the K4 crew that finished fifth in Rio, with team members heading into the K2 and K1 ranks.
With the fourth member of the K4, Jamie Lovett, attending but not racing at the Blue Lakes sprint regatta because of illness, Ryan and Fisher paired up for a big win in the women's K2 500m final. The event could feature in their plans for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
"We were prioritising the K4 for Rio but we've had a good break since then and have got in the K2 boat a couple of times in the last couple of weeks together," Ryan explained, adding that coach Rene Olsen had been tinkering, now that there was an enlarged national training squad of 10 females to chose from.
"The smaller boats are an area Rene is excited about getting into and the world cups next year are a good way to test it and see where we are against the rest of the world. Having New Zealand athletes racing in a smaller boat just develops the sport even further."