World cup races, crucial exams in store for Olympic canoeist

Next year is set to be another busy one for Cook Islands Olympic canoeist Ella Nicholas, and having her sister as a training buddy will help her manage her time between university studies and paddling training.

The sisters were back in the country recently to visit family on Aitutaki and Rarotonga, and despite being back in paradise the pair still trained hard, maintaining their fitness.

There won’t be much of a Christmas and New Year’s break either as Ella Nicholas prepares for a busy year ahead.

The Christchurch-based student completed her fourth year at medical school this year and in between getting hands-on experience in the medical wards, the driven young woman has also found the time to train and represent the Cook Islands at high level international canoeing competitions.

Nicholas spent five weeks in Europe in July where she competed at the World Cup in Germany as well as the Under 23 World Cup in Slovakia.

Looking ahead, Nicholas is preparing to compete at the New Zealand open championships next month before heading to Australia for the Oceania Cup and Australian open event.

She is also preparing to compete in three world cup races through the year as well as sit her most crucial university exams which she will need to pass to become a doctor.

Nicholas, who celebrated her 23rd birthday, last Sunday, says the key is keeping the balance and good time management.

“I’m always working on time management and keep getting better at it,” says the active and busy young woman.

Making the year more challenging has been the lack of a training buddy and white water to train on.

However, that is all about to change when younger sister Jane, also a medical student, joins her in Christchurch this year.

Jane is also a canoeist, although she paddles for New Zealand as the Cook Islands only has one spot for an athlete to represent the country at international events.

“It’s been tough training without a buddy but it has all been worth it,’ says Nicholas.

The ultimate goal for Nicholas is to qualify again to represent the Cook Islands at the Olympics, and she has her eyes set on the Rio Olympics in 2016.

For the event, the qualifying event will be in 2015 at the London Olympic course which Nicholas is familiar with, having competed on it during the 2012 London Olympics as well as racing the course a number of times for various international events.

In 2015 it will be her elective year, which means Nicholas will be heading back to the islands to work in the local hospital either on Rarotonga or Aitutaki.

And while many will be ready to put a down big umukai, enjoy big beach barbeques and more food, Nicholas will be plugging away at training – although she says she will take Christmas day off and maybe one day off for New Year celebrations.

It’s this level of dedication and commitment that has seen the young medical student wave the Cooks’ flag at the Olympics and that will take her back to the pinnacle event for any athlete.