AG Kayaking X (andersg79)

AG Kayaking X by andersg79
A 2008 youtube video from Anders Gustafsson (twitter). Just about to pass 10,000 views on youtube.

First video closing in on 10000 views - today? Suitable named "X" today X stands for 10-thousand. analog79 (09 Jan 2011)

Backing song is Rebellion (Lies) by Arcade Fire (youtube video)

The best part about our sport - Adam van Koeverden (Tue 24 Aug 2010)

Adam van Koeverden - K1 500m - 2010 ICF World Championships - Poznan/Poland - (Sun 22 Aug 2010)
Anders Gustafsson - K1 500m - 2010 ICF World Championships - Poznan/Poland - (Sun 22 Aug 2010)
1st: Anders Gustafsson (SWE) 1:38.457
2nd: Peter Gelle (SVK) 1:38.961
3rd: Adam van Koeverden (CAN) 1:39
K1 500m - 2010 ICF World Championships - Poznan/Poland - (Sun 22 Aug 2010)
Anders Gustafsson and Adam van Koeverden - K1 500m - 2010 ICF World Championships - Poznan/Poland - (Sun 22 Aug 2010)
Following on from Anders Gustafsson great video of the K1 500m Final, Adam van Koeverden (who placed 3rd) wrote the following post race report on Tue 24 Aug 2010:

The best part about our sport, from my seat at least, is the camaraderie. Pictured above in the foregound is my great friend Anders Gustafsson moments after he became Weltmeister in the K1 500m, I finished 3rd about 0.5seconds back. I'm smiling not because I snagged a medal, I'm smilling because after 12 years on the international kayak scene, Anders gets to say he is the best in the world, and I'm proud of him. I didn't have my best races this past week (though the 500m final was really good) yet I walk away from the event satisfied in a sense beyond the scope of my own accomplishments and missteps.

[..]

Anders showed us all how to finish a 500, and Kenny Wallace taught the 5k field a thing or two on the long distance course... It's a privilege to just be on the water with guys like these.

Their kindness, grace and sportsmanship shone when I got off the water feeling like crap after failing to qualify for the 1000m final. It was remarkable how a few words of kindness, a few genuine handshakes and hugs, and a couple reminders that it happens to the best of us from guys who have been there and know what it's like helped me bounce back a bit.

We sit in these skinny boats all by ourselves in a selfish pursuit of glory and triumph, but we're all cut from the same cloth, united in our quest for perfect strokes, fast times and the chance to hear our National Anthems on the loudspeaker.

Congratulations all, and thanks for the inspiration! See you on the water...

Adam, thanks for these great words from a true champion. They are inspirational for anyone who reads them.

Anders Gustafsson AG79 - Celebrating a Great Season

Anders Gustafsson AG79: The Sequel
If you liked It's whoever has worked the hardest and smartest who will win, then you will love this one (the end of season sequel).

Found this from Anders (analog79) twitter update today:

"No, my ego hasn't totally grown out of proportion. I'm just trying to share some paddling inspiration. http://fb.me/CCyX90ba (Youtube)"

Certainly is inspirational stuff and I think he is allowed to celebrate his great season. All Warriors of Light know this (see here). Specifically:

".. the warrior knows why he is celebrating. He is savouring the best gift that victory can bring: confidence.

He celebrates yesterday's victory in order to gain more strength for tomorrow's battle."

[ Note: Music ("Mind Heist") by Zack Hemsey from the soundtrack of Inception. ]

It's whoever has worked the hardest and smartest who will win - Anders Gustafsson (Sun 22 Aug 2010)

Anders Gustafsson (twitter) World Champion Kayaking K1 500m 2010 (youtube - Tweet)

Anders Gustafsson - K1 500m - 2010 ICF World Championships - Poznan/Poland - (Sun 22 Aug 2010)

A transcription of the video follows:

Anders Gustafsson (twitter): Hi, this is Anders Gustafsson. Tomorrow I will leave for the [2010] World Championships in Poland.

It's been really [difficult] training here in Sweden leading into the World Championships.

This is a pretty normal day (very windy and cold). Can't say it has been the best.

All my time trials have been really slow. That wont affect me too much. I will still go to Poland with a strong heart.

A flashback to the 2009 World Championships:

Commentator: 7/100 of a sec. That was the difference between Gustafsson and the German Rahue at the finish. And the Swedish settle for another silver this world championships.

Anders Gustafsson (twitter): Yesterday I was so happy over my Silver. But today I can't help to think about how close it was. Sadly I didn't win.

I'm stoked but still what little extra fuel to work even harder. I will try to make sure next time that I will be the best. I want to be world champion.

It's a huge difference in being 2nd in the world and being world champion.

I dream about the day when I can say that I am world champion.

I still think about the close race in 2009 sometimes.

I get over it by working even harder and to try and make sure that next time I have the inches on my side.

And in kayaking it's not luck that decides who wins.

It's whoever has worked the hardest and smartest who will win.

At the end, we go back to Anders in Sweden before leaving for Poland.

Anders Gustafsson (twitter): This has only made me harder and tougher and hopefully that will show in the race in Poland.