Australian representative and Tokyo Olympic Games hopeful Marina Carrier will start her international season this weekend at the French Championships.

The Medical Science student from Sydney, who has represented Australia across the youth, junior and senior levels, will take on a big field in Paris and then the Polish Nationals at the end of the month.

Carrier was disappointed that the clash of schedules meant she was not be able to go for her third consecutive national title last weekend in Brisbane, won by 17-year-old Tully Watt.

When Carrier arrived in Paris her bags didn’t quite make it however, they eventually arrived. She has been staying this week at the French Institute of Sport in Paris where the competition is being held.

“I came 12th in the same competition last year so an improvement on that would be awesome!” Carrier said of her goal for the French Championships.

“It’s supposed to be a pretty big comp- around 37 female competitors from countries as varied as Italy to the Czech Republic, so it should be a great day!

“Unfortunately, the ride got cancelled due to the unavailability of the horses which is a bit disappointing, but I doubt that will make it any less competitive.

After a ‘hard but rewarding summer’ the 22-year-old is ready to test her form with the big goal for the year being the Asia/Oceania Olympic qualifier in China in November.

“In terms of 2019, I think for any competitor this year the major goal is to do as well as they can across the entire season heading into their respective continental qualifier.

“But right now I’m just focused on getting stuck back into some competition, which I’m pretty excited about!”

Carrier represented Australia at the 2014 Youth Olympics and was ranked seventh in the world for juniors in 2017.

Results for the French Championships will be posted on the UIPM site when available.

Andrew Reid
MPA