Perez Continues His Winning Ways

Angel Perez’s Olympic winning streak continues.

Perez, who won consecutive legal battles over his eligibility, helped paddle the United States into the men’s two-man 100 meters finals by finishing third in a semifinal heat today at Penrith, Australia.

Perez and Peter Newton weren’t even the U.S. entry in the event until last week when they beat Stein Jorgensen and John Mooney in an intrasquad raceoff.

Those four will share a boat Saturday in the K-4 finals. The quad is the United States’ best chance for a kayak medal. The Perez-Newton duo is the only other chance, with its race Sunday.

“I won the first battle by being here and racing for the U.S.,” Perez said. “I think it would be pretty special to win a medal. We have the same chance in both boats.”

Jorgensen’s solo bid in the 500 was zapped today when he finished eighth of nine boats in a semifinal. Jorgensen, a former world champion in the 200, entered the race as a tuneup for the K-4.

Kathy Colin fizzled in her bid to make the finals in the women’s solo and pair events. She was sixth of nine in the K-1 and along with Tamara Jenkins finished sixth of seven in the K-2.