London Olympic gold medallist Murray Stewart took a big step toward contesting two events at the Rio Olympics when he won the men's K1 1000 title at the Oceania canoe sprint championships.
Stewart got off to his trademark fast start and was never headed to finish 3.95 seconds ahead of Gold Coast paddler Jordan Wood in 3:29.87 with fellow London Olympic K4 gold medallist Jacob Clear third (3:34.05) on Adelaide's West Lakes course on Sunday.
The final doubled as the first of two Olympic selection trials with the second to take place in Perth next month.
Stewart is also on track to receive an Olympic nomination in the men's K4 1000 event after he combined with Kenny Wallace, Lachlan Tame and Clear to win that final on Friday.
Stewart was pleased to return to the K4 after focusing on the K1 last year for the world championships.
"I really love racing in the K4 - I did not really want to not race in the K4 last year. So from my point of view it is a different crew but it is a bit like an old glove sitting in seat three with Jake (Clear) behind me in four, it is great," Stewart said.
"I love the team atmosphere and the team environment so it was really nice to get a win in that event."
Stewart hopes to be able to race both the K1 and K4 events at the Olympics.
"Definitely, I think similarly with Lachy (Tame) and Kenny (Wallace) in the K2 there is a good opportunity to double up in two events.
"They are looking pretty good for a potential K2-K4 double up but if the opportunity is there I will definitely take it."
