EKAITZ SAIES

Last week, the Spanish sprint canoeing team made history by topping the medal table for the first time, thanks to an incredible haul of 4 gold and 2 silver medals by our outstanding paddlers. This year, we’ve actually conquered two medal tables: first at the World Cup in Racice (Czech Republic) and then at the World Championships in Halifax (Canada).

At times, team leaders and athletes from other countries remarked on how composed and relaxed our athletes and coaches appeared during these competitions. I must admit, it’s true—we’ve enjoyed an amazing team atmosphere throughout this season’s international events. But such a climate doesn’t happen by chance. It’s the result of relentless hard work, meticulous organization, effective problem-solving, and unwavering emotional control behind the scenes. When these elements come together, you can embrace the pressure and shine when it matters most.

One of the gold medals that contributed to our historic achievement came from the young C2 crew, Cayetano García and Pablo Martínez. If you caught their interview after the race in Canada, you likely heard them expressing gratitude to those who supported them during difficult times. To provide some context, their struggles stemmed from an unexpected challenge: their coach decided to leave just 8 weeks before the World Championships, and only a week after they triumphed in the C2 500m at the Racice World Cup.

As one of our strongest hopes for gold at the World Championships, we knew we had to act fast. That same day, I reached out to Kiko Martín, one of our most experienced and accomplished coaches. Thankfully, he accepted the challenge of guiding Cayetano, Pablo, and Olympic finalist Antía Jácome. Just two days later, they were on a ferry to Mallorca to continue their preparations under Kiko’s expert guidance, supported by the same system that had nurtured their progress over the years.

Two weeks after their move, I visited them in Mallorca and saw firsthand the incredible work they were putting in. It was clear to me that these three paddlers were destined for great success this season. (Watch out for Antía Jácome in action this week in the Women’s C1 200m at the European Championships in Munich!)

Creating and sustaining a positive team atmosphere under pressure isn’t easy. With so much at stake, anything can unravel in an instant. That’s why it’s essential for team leaders and coaches to handle the groundwork meticulously—attending to every detail and resolving unexpected challenges—so that, on the big day, the team can perform at its best.