Sutton cruises to world kayak title

Sam Sutton has become Rotorua's latest world champion after a near perfect run in his final race.
The 21-year-old, a member of the Adidas Sickline Kayaking Team, made easy work of his competition - claiming the title with a difference of 2.14 seconds to Michele Ramazza, the silver medallist and Michele Ramazza third with a time of 1:01.13.
One hundred and fifty paddlers from 26 countries took part in the Sickline Extreme Kayak World Championships held in Otztal Valley, Austria, at the weekend.
Sutton was the only one in the 15 paddler super final to dip under the one minute mark with a time of 58.85.
However, Tauranga paddler Mike Dawson and 2008 winner Thilo Schmitt from Germany both managed to brake the one minute barrier in round two but couldn't repeat the performance for the final.
Dawson went into the super finals in the top 15 as top qualifier but two small mistakes saw him taking a roll on the drop and out, off the podium.
Sutton advanced from his sixth position to the super finals.
Once his finals run was all go he had a dream paddle with perfect lines down the course taking out the race convincingly.
Sutton showed his expertise during every section of the race to claim a well deserved win.
Sutton, who managed a silver in the same event in 2008 and was fifth last year, said he was happy with his final run.
"I was extremely lucky with my final run, I just told myself that if I could do it without making too many mistakes it would probably be good enough for the podium.
"I relaxed and finally had a smooth and almost perfect ride, so I couldn't ask for more."
Leading up to the championships, Sutton was also competitive in winning the extreme whitewater race at Colorado's Teva mountain games earlier in the year.
"It has been an awesome year and of course I am glad to finish the season becoming World Champion," Sutton said.
"It's a dream come true, ever since I have been kayaking this has been my main goal."
Results:
Top 15 super final: 1 Sam Sutton (NZL) 0:58.85, 2 Michele Ramazza (ITA) 1:00.99, 3 Lukas Kalkbrenner (GER) 1:01.13, 4 Thilo Schmitt (GER) 1:01.78, 5 Djan Kralj (SLO) 1:01.97, 6 Severin Haberling (SUI) 1:06.08, 7 Eric Deguil (FRA) 1:06.79, 8 Nicholas Troutman (CAN) 1:07.18, 9 Paul Bockelmann (GER) 1:07.73, 10 Vavrinec Hradilek (CZE) 1:08.46, 11 Basti Lexa (GER) 1:08.47, 12 Gerd Serrasolses (ESP) 1:10.79, 13 Mike Dawson (NZL) 1:11.39, 14 Fabrice Poueyto (FRA) 1:12.73, 15 Eneko Yarzaarabolaza (ESP) 1:13.69. 53 Johann Roozenburg (NZL).