Olympians take a dip in Clutha on festive break

Cyclists on the banks of the Clutha River were treated to an expert display of slalom kayaking yesterday morning, but most did not realise they were watching Olympic-level competitors.

The sharp-eyed among those who stopped for a look along the the Alexandra-Clyde track might have noticed "F. Butcher" and "2024 Paris Olympic" labels on one of kayaks.

Alexandra-born kayak cross gold medallist Finn Butcher came home for Christmas and was on the water with his father Dale, partner slalom canoeist Courtney Williams and Australian Noemie Fox, who also won gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics, in the kayak cross event.

Coming back to Central Otago for a summer break was a welcome respite in a hectic calendar, Butcher said.

Back where it all began are (from left), Finn Butcher’s father Dale Butcher, of Alexandra, Australian kayak cross Olympic gold medallist Noemie Fox, Olympic kayak cross gold medallist Finn Butcher and his partner fellow slalom canoeist Courtney Williams. PHOTOS: JULIE ASHER

"Her mum, dad, brother and sister. Yeah, it’s been nice ... pretty cruisy. It’s always good to come back here, so nice and relaxing."

Coming back to where he trained as a student was cool, he said.

"It’s nice to come down here when all the kids are down here as well.

"Like the club kids ... when they come down, it’s pretty cool.

"Just to see like ... where I’ve been, where I was, I guess."

Christmas-new year was maintenance rather than training time, enjoying festive treats being the focus, but the river where it all started still called to him each day.

His parents had bought a property on the river’s edge and his kayaks were kept under the house, just steps from the water.

Cyclists on the Alexandra-Clyde trail yesterday morning were mostly unaware they were watching top class athletes including two Olympic gold medallists. Winners in kayak cross at Paris in 2024 Alexandra-born Finn Butcher and Australian Noemie Fox were on the Clutha River along with Butcher’s partner and fellow slalom canoeist Courtney Williams. Butcher and Williams spent Christmas in Central Otago with their families.

After two weeks’ relaxation Butcher leaves Queenstown today for Auckland and the Oceania Championships before heading off to Australia for most of next month.

A couple of weeks in the United States are scheduled after that, then in May it will be back to Europe.

While they all travelled long distances, as the sport was centred on Europe, it was quite a tight-knit group, Butcher said.

"It ends up being ... like a bit of a family, which is quite cool."

Cyclists stopping to watch the quartet race through the gates on the Clutha river included an Australian couple who were delighted to realise they were watching one of their own Olympic medallists.

julie.asher@odt.co.nz