Finn Butcher

EVENT: Canoe Slalom: Men’s K1 and Men’s Kayak Cross

Alexandra’s Finn Butcher turned in a supremely powerful and skilled performance to win the gold medal in the inaugural Olympic kayak cross event.

The canoe slalom athlete had looked strong in the first two days of competition and, though slightly under-rated on the world stage, loomed as a potential medallist. His consistency in such a hectic event was remarkable.

British world number 1 Joe Clarke was favoured for the final, but Butcher was away like a rocket and before Clarke had really found himself, the New Zealander was belting off down the course. He negotiated the gates superbly, showing deft technique to go with his raw power.

The New Zealander won by a considerable margin ahead of Clarke and Noah Hegge of Germany.

Butcher grew up in Alexandra, Central Otago, hailing from a family of adventure racers. He began paddling aged nine at a ‘have a go’ day on a local river and immediately fell in love with the sport, developing into an elite athlete over the years.

At the 2023 World Championships he gained the Olympic quota spot, finishing 13th in K1 and 11th in Kayak Cross. At the 2023 World Cup on the Paris Olympic course, he won a silver in Kayak Cross.