Kayak to Beijing?

Campbell Walsh's guide to kayaking

By Mark Barden

Jon Schofield is a bona fide British sporting success story - the undoubted king of wild-water sprint canoeing.

The overall World Cup winner in 2006, he recently added a European sprint title to his long list of racing honours.

But the 22-year-old student from Lancashire is also paddling in calmer waters as he bids to achieve his ambition of winning Olympic gold.

Unlike the whitewater slalom events, to which it bears some resemblance to the casual observer, Schofield's sport is not part of the Games schedule.

Hence, his decision to also embrace flatwater racing this season ahead of the 2008 Beijing Olympics and with one eye on London 2012.

"Becoming an Olympic champion has to be the ultimate goal, but I can't do that in my first sport," Schofield told BBC Sport.

JON SCHOFIELD FACTFILE Born: 10.5.85 Hometown: Sawley, Lancs Wild Water canoeing honours 2002: World Junior champion 2004: World Cup 6th overall 2005: 2 World Cup golds 2006: World Cup champion 2007: European sprint title

"I've always had an interest in flatwater as well, so I've kind of been biding my time until I got up to a certain speed and could jump into the GB team."

At present, he isn't paddling his own canoe but sharing a two-man kayak (K2) with Ben Brown. There are signs they could become a formidable partnership.

"I started off focusing on K1 and I'd only paddled with Ben three or four times when we won a GB selection race, which was a bit of a shock.

"Ultimately, I'd like to qualify for the Olympics in K1, and I think Ben would say the same. I've always been an individual athlete, so to win at the Games in my own right would be dream come true."

But why don't Schofield's skills in picking the best course down a raging river translate to the turbulent flow and tricky gates of the slalom events?

"I've had a go before and I was absolutely terrible! I was probably the fastest person they'd ever seen between the gates, but I was losing about 10 seconds at every one.

"In downriver racing, you're in boat that's very fast but not super-manoeuvrable, whereas slalom is all about turning the boat on a sixpence.

"With a lot of work, I probably could do OK, and I'd enjoy the technical challenge, but I think to get up to Olympic level in any sport you've got to start quite young."

If things go really well, we're capable of the kind of times you need to qualify for Beijing Jon Schofield on his K2 flatwater hopes

Schofield has already reaped the benefit of turning to flatwater racing by becoming one of the British Canoe Union's 20 lottery-funded athletes.

Juggling training, competition and his human biology degree at Loughborough University is not always easy, and he admits his final year may be deferred.

"If I continue to do well this season, my funding would improve enough to be able to become a full-time athlete," he said. "It's something I really need to do to make the next step up."

But has his flatwater switch come too late for the 2008 Olympics?

"I don't think so. If things go really well, we're capable of the kind of times you need to qualify, but I'm not pressuring myself," he said.

"The good thing about getting to Beijing would be gaining Olympic experience for 2012 when I'd hope to be close to my athletic prime."

Schofield will not, however, be forsaking his first love - the Man v Nature thrill of taming a mountain river in spate.

"I definitely want to continue downriver racing. I dearly want to become an Olympic champion and I've got huge motivation in that respect.

"But I think you've got to have balance in your life, and wild water is something I really enjoy."