Helped by technology and happy with a switch in seating arrangements, paddlers Steven Ferguson and Mike Walker have hinted they are confident of winning an Olympic medal.
"Well, we're not here to count Chinese," Ferguson said yesterday of their K2 1000m prospects.
Walker agreed: "I don't think Iwould be here if I didn't think we could medal."
The pair have switched positions in the boat this year, with Ferguson moving to the back to give him more reach.
"Mike and I knew it would be better with me in the back, but in the past we've had a lean issue that we weren't able to solve," said Ferguson.
With the help of sports scientists and video analysis the pair cracked the mystery and have been able to gain ground.
"I can accelerate the boat a bit faster," said Ferguson, who will also race in the K1 500.
"We've got a lot more speed there and a much better finish and ... we're coming home as fast as we can."
The kayak team arrived in Beijing three days ago, fresh from a training camp in Rockhampton, Queensland, where the pair were able to hone their teamwork.
"Mike is getting better and better in the front. His technique is getting far more efficient and a little bit more explosive."
Their teammate Erin Taylor, who will race in the K1 500, also said she had gained from the camp in Rockhampton, where she was able to focus on her training away from any Olympic hype.
She admitted that she would suffer nerves before her race - but that was nothing new.
"If I throw up before my race, that's normal, so I will just throw up and carry on."
