Photo: Olivier MORIN / AFP
New Zealand's Finn Butcher has won gold in canoe slalom men's kayak cross and his nana, Val, says the win feels wonderful.
The postmistress from Ophir in Central Otago told First Up: "I still can't believe it. ...I'm just thrilled for him."
A lot of Ophir residents watched it together, she said.
"He got a big cheer from all of us. We got some flags from the $2 shop and waved them around."
She hasn't decided how she will celebrate but was beyond thrilled.
"I'm just a bit speechless about it at the moment."
Finn Butcher competes in the men's kayak cross quarterfinal. Photo: BERTRAND GUAY / AFP
With rival, and three times world champ, Briton Joe Clarke breathing down his neck it was important to get away fast to get an advantage, Butcher said.
"After that it was pretty unreal," he told RNZ's First Up.
Good plans, good support and the ability to execute well stood him in good stead, he said.
"I'm pretty bloody pleased with it."
Butcher said tonight he will head to the Games Village and then to New Zealand House to catch up with his friends and family.
He would like to see some events - his girlfriend has already been to the beach volleyball.
It was unreal having the Olympics in Paris, providing some spectacular landmarks for the events, he said.
