16 — Friday, October 23, 1998 — North Shore News north shore news © SPORTS Paddling fo Langford sets sights on 2000 Olympics Andrew McCredie Sports Editor andrew@nsnews.com MARGARET Langford need only look in a mirror to be reminded of the dream. Hanging around — the Lion's Bay kavaker’s neck is a gold necklace bearing an Olympic five-ringed logo pen- dant. On her finger is a gold ring of the same design. And while the 2000 Summer Games will be the 28-year-old’s third appearance in the Olympics, Langtord believes she really has a shot at a medal in Australia. At the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, Langford finished eighth; four years earlier at the Barcelona Olympics she placed 15th. “I was so close last time,” Langford said of her top-10 result two years ago. “And this time will definitely be my last'(Olympics).” Fresh off her most success- ful season ever, Langford is fully focused on Sydney in 2000. - Last month she paddled to a fifth place finish at the world championships, the best-ever for a Canadian woman. And at a World Cup race in Wisconsin, Langford won a silver medal and was just 0.4 seconds behind the winner. That resulz was the best-ever World Cup finish for a Canadian paddler. “Pm going into my peak, and I’m paddling better than ye LION’S Bay kayaker Margaret Langford (above and at right) enjoyed her best season ever this past summer as she placed second at a World Cup event and fifth at the recent World Championships. Both results are the best finishes for a Canadian whitewater paddler. I've ever paddled betore,” she said. Her consistent top-10 results at World Cup events this past season is testimony to that statement. The UBC graduate is also stoked about a new mentor, “We hired a new coach and he’s awesome,” Langford says of Vincent Redon, a French team paddler turned coach recently hired by the Canadian whitewater team. “I think he’s the best coach Pve had to date.” Next year Langford will be putting in Jots of hours on artificial courses in prepara- tion for the Australia Olympics. A. state-of-the-art whitewater course is currently under construction in Sydney. “Basically the next two years are going to be really, really busy,” Langford said. That schedule includes next year’s world champi- onships in Spain, which will serve as the Olympic qualifier for Canada’s team. With just one — spot available in Langford’s discipline on the Canadian team, she knows if she blows that race her dream dies. “There's such a combina- tion of things that go into 4 good run, and I chink the mental aspect comes into it when you have the confi- dence, when vou feel that vou can beat anvone out there.” Anyone familiar — with Langford knows she does not Get Your Kids Into Skiing and Boarding| - at Cypress Mountain Sports Ask about our Kids Gear Buy-Back Program! Black Diamond Vest Toddler & Kids Sizes Burton Backhill Kids Clothing v Complete Package Skis/Boots/Bindings Black Diamond Jacket & Toddier Hat a & Kids Sizes ZON'T MISS OUT ON THIS SPECIAL ONE-DAY EVENT! 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