Finn Butcher. New Zealand Canoe Slalom paddler. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Stepping on a World Cup podium is nice, but in the long run is doesn't mean a lot to New Zealand Canoe slalom paddler Finn Butcher.
Butcher is in Europe preparing for his first Olympics and last weekend took the opening World Cup event by storm by picking up two medals.
The 29 year old from Alexandra grabbed silver in the men's K1 kayak event in Germany and then followed that up with a bronze in the kayak cross final.
"I've always known I can be in the medals, but it's good to see it in the flesh," Butcher told RNZ.
"It probably doesn't do too much as I'll still approach every race wanting to do the best run I can and see where that puts me. It's just confidence really, and it can only be good."
Butcher won a silver medal in the kayak cross at the 2021 World Championships, but hasn't regularly contended for medals.
Last year in slalom he just missed the finals at a couple of World Cups, but did manage second place in the cross event in France in October.
"I knew I had the pace to be in the finals. I put in plenty of work over the summer and did well in the local comps.
"We've just been working hard on everything, really. Not a lot has changed, but I now have the confidence that I can do it."
Silver medalist New Zealand's Finn Butcher, gold medallist France's Boris Neveu and bronze medalist Austria's Felix Oschmautz celebrate on the podium during the 2024 Olympic Games Test Event, Paris. Photo: AFP
Coach Aaron Osborne has rejoined the team after coaching him earlier in his career.
"I'm just really enjoying it and have a great team around me," Butcher said.
Butcher will only race the K1 slalom at the second World Cup event in Prague this weekend, but will compete in both in the third event in Poland.
While those next two events are important, Butcher says they're firmly set on Paris.
"Our training and the programme is aligned to build up to that, so we're not really peaking for these. However, they are a really good opportunity to practice both the mental and tactical strategies that we need when we get to Games time.
"It'll be my first Games, so I'm trying to create as many scenarios as possible and make sure that when I get to Paris I know what to expect and have a lot of trust in what we're doing."
Fellow New Zealander Luuka Jones will also compete in Prague this weekend.