SHE only entered the race as an afterthought because she was in the country and ready to go. And what an afterthought it was as Sarah O’Connell-Brechin won her second bronze medal on the world stage when she finished third in the Masters Women K1 at the World Kayaking Championships in Crestuma, Portugal, at the end of last month.

The champion Windsor paddler, 39, who is riding an amazing wave of success in the sport she only took up less than three years ago, was in Portugal to chase another medal in the K2 marathon with her partner,Victorian Peta Wait.

But having been there for training well in advance of the event, and with the masters race being four days before her main goal, she decided to take on veterans’ class.

O’Connell-Brechin and Wait finished 12th in the 25.8km Ladies K2 race, the equal best finish by an Aussie crew in open competition.

And this time, her coach,Windsor Canoe Club mentor Mark Coulter, was on hand to see it after being selected as a coach for the team.

Having overcome a shoulder injury during training, O’Connell-Brechin was travelling well in the 35yrs+ Masters race, sitting in second spot and within sight of gold until her boat was rammed by the Spanish paddler behind her and was sent flying into the water.

She recovered well enough to get back into the bronze medal position and held on her medal in a gutsy display.

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