Laurence Vincent Lapointe from Canada presented the 20128 Academy Award
Laurence has been a nominee for the Sportswoman of the Year award three times, in 2015, 2017 and 2018. An outspoken advocate for women’s canoeing to be included in the Olympic programme, in 2018 Laurence received more than 3,000 votes, one of the highest public votes in the history of the World Paddle Awards.
Congratulations with winning the Academy award Laurence. In the previous four years Jessica Fox, Sebastian Brendel and Hank McGregor have been chosen by the WPA Academy. What does this award mean to you?
For me to receive this Award after such big names in the paddling world means a lot to me. It feels like all the efforts I have been putting in training are being recognized and appreciated.
The purpose of practising canoeing, has it changed for you now its included in the Olympic program?
When I heard about the official inclusion of my discipline in the Olympic program, it lifted a great weight from my shoulders. I had always been working hard because I love what I do, but finally being told that I would have the chance to compete on the highest level changed something in the way I percieved my future in our sport. Before this, I had gone as high as it was possible and I kept training daily in the hopes of (maybe) someday get my chance. Making our inclusion official made it so much more real and gave me a renewed energy towards training.
Laurence Vincent Lapointe being congratulated by Dave Frost and Nathalie Vincent.
What will be your biggest challenge this year you think?
I think my biggest challenge is mostly to not stagnate in my progress and keep improving. I know many women around the world will try to beat me and I certainly don't want to wait for them to pass me.
Are there people you would like to thank? People who support(ed) you.
I always have to thank my family first for supporting me. Without my parents, I certainly wouldn't have had the time or the means to do what I love. I also want to thank my coaches Jan Kruk and Mathieu Pelletier who have been able to deal daily with the ups and downs of such intense training. Finally, I want to thank my teammates, especially my partner Katie Vincent, for being there with me and helping me improve every day
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