Although she didn't match her outstanding 1998 results last season, Margaret Langford is heading into the Olympic Games supremely confident she can win a medal. A national team member since 1988, Langford reached two finals last season on the World Cup circuit. However in 1998 she won her second career World Cup medal and placed fifth overall, the best ever finish by a Canadian whitewater paddler on the circuit.

  Certainly Langford should know the Sydney course like the back of her hand at the Olympics. She spent two months this winter training on the artificial course and returned to Australia for five weeks in March.

  "I've had my best winter training ever," said Langford, a member of the 1992 and 1996 Olympic teams. "It was much better being in Australia, than training in the snow back home. There were several other athletes there as well and that's a good way of testing yourself against a potential Olympic field."

  Langford absolutely loves the course.

  "It's very physical and demanding," she said. "The race will be won or lost on the bottom half of the course. They've done a fantastic job with the facility and it's certainly one of my favorites."

2000 Games
Sept. 18: Women's K-1: Was 15th in qualifying, advanced to final round.
Sept. 18: Women's K-1: Finished 13th in final.

Photos
Margaret Langford negotiates the course
Margaret Langford is consoled by coach Vincent Redon
Margaret Langford on the course

2000 Games Canoe & Kayak Coverage