Stien Verlinden was particular about getting her message across as clearly as possible, after becoming the first female starter in the history of Canoe Marathon.
“I want to give them the same level and quality that they're always used to,” she said.
“I think athletes see me just like any other male starter and that is my main goal. It's not to have something different or special.
“There are four of us here, one of us needs to be the starter and our chair Ruud Heijselaar chose to give that position to me because he had the trust in me to do the job.”
The Belgian has one of the most important tasks at the 2024 International Canoe Federation Hangzhou Super Cup.
The starter decides everything concerning the beginning of the races, including false starts and must ensure that all boats have a fair start. According to Verlinden, having a strong calming voice is crucial.
“A very high-pitched voice may round them up. You have to have a slow way of talking. We decided to try something new for the first time,” the 43-year-old added.
“This is my first tournament as a starter on the ICF circuit, but I have done it at national level in Belgium.
“So, from the athletes, the feedback that I got so far is positive. It's a good feeling to be able to break some ceilings and some barriers.”
Paddling has been part of Verlinden’s life since a very young age. She first tried the sport at the age of 14 but got into top-level racing and marathons at 33.
She has represented the Belgian national team for two years, including at the World and European Championships.
Still an active athlete, Verlinden is also part of the Canoe Marathon Committee and is relishing the chance to play her role in achieving gender balance on all fronts.
“The Canoe Marathon Committee makes a lot of effort to have gender equality. We are pioneering for all our female colleagues to be able to do all the jobs because there are some highly qualified people amongst us.
“ICF also puts a lot of effort in teaching more females and bring that balance.”
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