Benn Fraker (Peachtree City, Georgia) shook off an early penalty in his first run to come back with a faster and totally clean run to finish 10th in C-1 yesterday and continue his quest for an Olympic medal.

Fraker, after reviewing his performance with coach Cathy Hearn, maintained his composure with a nearly flawless performance in front of a great crowd including screaming Fraker family members.

Fraker finished with a combined time of 179.44 for the day. This time did not apply to the semifinal competition for the field of 12.

The semifinal competition took place on a sunny day filled with a promise as Fraker took sixth place in the whitewater slalom single canoe competition held at Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park Tuesday afternoon.

The only paddler in his class to post two clean runs Tuesday, the 19-year-old was eighth after the semifinals, where he posted a time of 92.27. His second trip down the course was 1.40 seconds faster for a combined score of 183.14, moving him up two places. This faster time was recorded despite a roll and swift recovery in the first quarter of the course.

He ended 6.49 seconds off the pace set by gold medalist Michal Martikan of Slovakia, whose 176.65 returned him to the top step of the podium after winning gold at the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games and silver in Sydney and Athens. The silver medal went to David Florence of Great Britain (178.61), while Robin Bell of Australia won the bronze with a 180.59.

Fraker will enjoy the next couple of weeks in China, take some time off to catch up with family and friends and anticipates resuming his training with an eye toward London in 2016.

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