David Ford of Edmonton has paid his dues in the sport of white water slalom paddling and was rewarded with the gold medal in men's kayak at the world championships last fall. The 33-year-old was the first Canadian to win the world crown and automatically qualified for the Olympics with the win.

 Ford has been a national team member since 1984 at the age of 17 and has experienced the highs and lows of his sport. He won Canada's first World Cup gold back in 1992 and has four career World Cup medals. He's been to two Olympic Games however just before the Atlanta Games his boat was crunched during air transportation.
 "Winning the world title healed the wounds from my 1996 Olympic experience," he said. "The World Cup medals and other strong international performances always reminded me of what I could achieve. Now I'll be the world champion heading into the Olympic Games. And I don't think I've raced my best yet."

 Ford competes full time in the sport and has numerous sponsors which he landed on his own. "Most of those sponsors I've had since 1993-94 and winning today is a real testament to what they've done for me. It makes all the difference in the world."

 Olympic champion Scott Shipley of the U.S., and Paul Ratcliffe of Britain will be among Ford's toughest rivals at the Games.


2000 Games
Sept. 19: Men's K-1 singles: David Ford, Edmonton, finished 22nd in qualifying, eliminated.


Photos
David Ford negotiates a gate
David Ford negotiates the course
Ford squeezes under a gate

2000 Games Canoe & Kayak Coverage