GB Canoe Slalom Team are all set to challenge for Medals at the rescheduled European Championships this weekend
The Great Britain Canoe Slalom Team will be competing this weekend to bring home medals from the rescheduled European Championships held in Bratislava, Slovakia (13 – 15 August). The event was postponed back in June due to extremely high river levels and flooding.
In the Men’s K1 (Kayak single) event, Olympic Silver medallist and 2008 European Champion Campbell Walsh (32 years old), Richard Hounslow and Huw Swetnam are competing – the same medal winning team who stormed to win Gold in the team event at last year’s European Championships held in Nottingham.
In the Men’s C1 (Canoe single) Beijing Olympic Silver medallist David Florence (28 years old), Mark Proctor and Greg Pitt (21 years old) are representing Great Britain.
In the Men’s C2 (Canoe double), Etienne Stott & Tim Baillie current World Cup medallist are showing similar form to last year when they won the Bronze Medal at the European Championships. They are joined by; Dan Goddard & Colin Radmore and David Florence & Richard Hounslow. Florence and 28 year old Hounslow are doubling up and competing in (Canoe single) and (Kayak single) as well as the Canoe double.
In the Women’s K1 (Kayak single) event there is plenty of talent, Bronze World medallist Lizzie Neave is competing with team mates; Louise Donington and the 27 year old Olympian Fiona Pennie who has made a tremendous return to the GB team after missing out last year, picking up medals at two out of the three World Cups this season.
Mallory Franklin Silver Medallist at last weekend’s U23 and junior European Championships in Markkleeberg, Germany is representing Great Britain in the relatively new event of Women’s C1 (Canoe single).
John Anderson, Performance Director GB Canoeing commented on the importance of this event:
“The Slalom European Championships is a significant event for the Great Britain Team. With Europe being the powerhouse of the sport internationally, the European Championships provides a World Class Stage for our athletes to measure their performances against the best athletes in the World. We are very pleased that the Championships have been rescheduled after the cancellation of the event in June due to the flooding in Central Europe. This is a prestigious and important Championships event for our athletes and our Team and will provide a stepping stone in the lead into the World Championships in September in Slovenia - Our Team is well prepared and looking forward to racing at these Championships."
With the Team in great shape and eager to add to the medals already won this season it’s going to be an exciting race.
For more information, startlists and results visit the official event website - http://www.canoeslalomeuro2010.org