Teddington’s Tim Brabants is confident failing to reach the K1 1,000m final at the European Championships in Croatia last weekend was no cause for concern.

The 35-year-old finished fourth in his semi-final in Zagreb and had to make do with a second place finish in the B final in his last competitive outing before the London 2012 Games.

But Brabants, who trains at Teddington-based Royal Canoe Club, remained optimistic of a successful defence of the Olympic title he won in Beijing four years ago.

“So, a tough semi-final and I just missed out making A final,” he tweeted.

“Happy enough as I know I’m not on form yet and still in a hard training phase.”

Elmbridge Canoe Club’s Louisa Sawers fared better in the women’s K4 500m event as she and crew mates Rachel Cawthorn, Angela Hannah and Royal Canoe Club’s Jess Walker, finished just outside of the medals in fourth in their first competitive outing as a crew.