Canoeist's Olympic boost (From Watford Observer)
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Canoeist's Olympic boost
12:02pm Friday 6th August 2004 in Sport
WATFORD's Stuart McIntosh will arrive at next week's Olympic Games on the crest of a wave after scooping a silver medal at last Sunday's canoe slalom World Cup Final in Bourg St Maurice, France.
In the last major international Canoe Slalom competition before the Olympics, McIntosh, 29, finished only 57 seconds behind the eventual winner after a stunning performance hoisted him up from seventh to second spot.
The performance leaves McIntosh in fine fettle ahead of the Games in Athens, where he confident of competing for a medal.
"This was the last big race against the top athletes in the world, and I was using it to gauge where I am at three weeks out from the Games," said the former Langleybury pupil. "I am extremely happy to win Silver.
"The result has reassured me that a medal at the Olympic Games is within reach. Looking to the next few weeks, my focus will be to train on the course in Athens and ensure that I can give it my best shot when the time comes."
