Miquel Trave

Greatest achievements:

+2. site of the C1 Patrol World Championship, La Seu 2019

+1. place Junior World Championship C1, Ivrea 2018

+1. place Junior European Championship C1 & K1, Bratislava 2018
(for the first time in history in the men's category, one athlete won two gold medals)

+2. place Junior World Championship C1, Bratislava 2017

Who has influenced you the most in your career?

My dad, of course, who got me into it. But it was definitely Tony Estanguet as a role model. I admired how smoothly it drove. I always tried to imitate him. And it was certainly a big advantage to have Ander Elosegi in the team, I could improve a lot thanks to him.

Do you prefer a kayak or a canoe?

You can't say it like that. I probably prefer singkanoi a bit, but I really enjoy both disciplines. Maybe kayaking is a bit more aggressive and canoeing a bit smoother. But I really like both. I would go kayaking even if I only paddled a single. It's a great way to clear my head.

What is the best and worst part of training?

It's best when you're good at it, when you have a good feel for the water and ride well, you're fast and you're not tired at all. That is beautiful. And of course I enjoy the company of our training group and like to go out with them after training for something good.

And the worst part... When it's cold, it's a bit windy, there are some floes floating here and there in the channel. Even with the best clothes, the cold on the hands and face is terrible. But then again, it makes the post-workout shower the best part of the day.

What is your favorite track?

There is no better channel than Pau 2017, not Pau 2020 in my opinion. Then I like Bratislava, Ivrea, Prague, Tacen, La Seu. But if I had to pick just one track.

What was your training like during corona times?

It was hard to contain my emotions, I was trying to stay in shape, but I'm not used to spending so much time in the gym, so I was really looking forward to getting back on the water.

Who is the best slalom skier in the world?

As for the past, I can't decide between the names Estanguet, Martikan and Kauzer. And currently... Jess Fox among the girls and Peter Kauzer among the boys (but it's not easy to choose just one).

What are your plans and goals for the future?

In my personal life, my goal now is to finish university.

And as an athlete, I want to go to the Olympics and still enjoy paddling as much as I do.

Who do you like to follow on Instagram?

I follow my friends and people I know. I also follow paddling and football accounts.

What is it like to do water slalom in Spain?

I don't think anyone in Spain appreciates water slalom as much as it deserves. People here are only interested in football, basketball and tennis. Canoeing (both sprint and slalom) are the sports from which we have more Olympic medals than any other sport, yet it is very difficult to find sponsors or anyone to help us even a little. I think that slalom is better known in other European countries than in Spain.

What do you like to do when you're not paddling?

I like to play football with my friends, I also played playstation and I like to go jogging in the forest behind our house.