Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) athlete Ken Wallace has won his first gold in the men’s K1 5000 metres event, which has been introduced as a new event at the ICF 2010 Canoe Sprint World Championships in Poznan in Poland on 24 August.

Wallace cruised to victory, finishing more than 2 seconds ahead of Germany’s Max Hoff.

It was a strong performance for Wallace, after the disappointment of finishing in 6th place in the men’s K1 1000-metre event earlier that day.

‘I would have preferred to do that earlier today,’ Wallace said.

‘But I am happy with the result and the race, it was like doing a 1000m race again to get in a good position at the start, then on the final turn I was behind Max Hoff and had to read the situation well and, fortunately, I had the kick to get over the line.’

Wallace was inspired by the success achieved by his sister Bernadette who finished strongly in 4th place in the women’s K1 5000 metres event.

This event is popular amongst the 1000 metre kayakers as well as specialist longer distance paddlers. It is run over one long circuit and through a number of shorter laps, which requires speed from the start, endurance and good turning skills.

In other results for AIS athletes, Matt Urquhart, Murray Stewart and Jacob Clear teamed up with Tate Smith to finish in 5th place in the K4 1000-metre final.