"That was the first big race in the year for us, so it’s great to get another 500m in, and practice our race plan … and have a good crack," van der Westhuyzen said.

"It’s so exciting, the Olympic year is awesome and there is a special energy towards it for sure.

"To tick another box on our journey towards that (Paris 2024) is fantastic, and we’re looking forward to the rest of the year.''

Green said while preparations for this Olympic cycle have looked a little different to Tokyo, the principle remains the same and their sights are set firmly on the French capital.

"Coming from Tokyo as our first Olympics, and also being the Olympic champs, there is obviously a bit of pressure that goes with that," he said.

“But we’ve tried to come in refocused because it is a different distance now, so it’s a bit of a fresh start in a way.

"We’re coming away from Tokyo with so much more knowledge and so many more learnings that we’ve been through that we can apply now.''

In the women’s K1 500 final, New Zealand’s Aimee Fisher won gold, with dual Olympian Alyce Wood the best-placed Australian in second spot.

"That race was really exciting, having the Kiwis here and having Aimee here … she’s one of the best in the world, so it’s great to be able to race against her in an Olympic year," Wood said.

Wood’s silver medal puts her in the best position possible to be nominated for her third Australian Olympic team.

"The last two years have been an absolute whirlwind, since Tokyo, falling pregnant with Florence, having the season I did last year, getting fifth at the world champs was an absolute dream,'' she said.

"Now this year to be lining up, to be able to try for my third Olympics, it’s a thing that I obviously hoped for, but it was definitely a pipe dream.''

License this article