Aside from a few sibling quarrels, Sofia Reinoso has been enjoying the company of her two younger brothers on the international slalom scene.
Having spent a long time as Mexico’s lone figure competing globally in Canoe Slalom, the 27-year-old paddler is delighted to be joined by two members of her family.
Antonio Reinoso, 24, and Fernando Reinoso, 22, have been competing on the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup circuit with their sister this season.
“Definitely as siblings we get into fights when we disagree on things, sometimes I am too much of the older sister,” said Sofia.
“I think they get annoyed at that but we have fun.
“Most of the time they are cool kids.
“They are super motivated and it is great to feel their support.”
Reinoso made history at Tokyo 2020 when she became the first Mexican to compete in Canoe Slalom at an Olympic Games.
She will now compete in her second Olympics as Mexico’s solo slalom paddler at Paris 2024.
View this post on Instagram
The past three years have not been easy for Reinoso who has spent much of that time without the support of a coach.
“It has been a difficult journey,” said Reinoso.
“It has been a matter of finding where to go and train and how to prepare the best way possible to qualify for an Olympic spot.
“I am thankful that I was able to do it but it definitely meant having to sacrifice a lot of things.
“I haven’t spent much time at home in these past three years, just travelling and being on the road, three weeks in one place and three weeks in another which definitely takes its toll.
“Having no coach and having to deal with the administrative stuff is hard but I am glad that I made it work and it is now paying its dues.”
Reinoso received help from coaches Silvan Poberaj and Nelly Tornare before securing the services Sergio Llorente before the start of this season.
“I will have a coach at the Olympic which is super necessary,” said Reinoso.
“It has felt good to be at a World Cup and have someone out there videoing you while you are training.
“It makes a difference to have the video review.”
Reinoso’s Olympic debut in Tokyo three years ago made waves back in Mexico as she inspired people to take up Canoe Slalom – and she hopes her appearance in Paris will lead to further changes in her country.
“Prior to the Olympics, I was at World Cups by myself and now I have my brothers,” said Reinoso.
“We still need more support and more things to change, of course.
“We need more help from the Government to be able to have a full team out here racing.
“I think it is changing and I want to believe that it will grow more.
“Making Tokyo inspired a lot of people in Mexico to continue paddling or get into Canoe Slalom.
“For me, that’s my biggest achievement and I hope that Paris will have more of this affect and more people will see that there is a possibility of competing internationally.
“It is amazing to have my brothers with me at World Cups now.
“I was training on the water the other day and I looked at them and I had a coach for the first time, and we were getting video.
“I felt so much joy in my heart, this is what I have dreamed for so long.
“Having a coach, getting video and sharing this with more Mexicans, especially with my family, is a dream come true.”
Related links
