With six medals in the bag and a new world champion there was plenty for the British canoe sprint team to smile about as they left the Malta regatta course in Poznan, Poland.
The World Championships bought an end to what has been an exciting and extremely successful year.
Ed McKeever confirmed himself as the fastest kayaker on the planet, adding the World crown to his European title.
Olympic Champion Tim Brabants demonstrated his pure talent and finesse, coming back after 18 months and challenging the World Champion Max Hoff for the K1 1000m title; finishing in a close 2nd and claiming the silver medal.
Having already taken two World Cup Gold’s and the European title, Liam Heath and Jon Schofield found themselves fighting it out for gold in the tightest race of the Championships; completing their season of success with the World Championship bronze medal.
Rachel Cawthorn showed sheer determination and guts, paddling herself to the World Championship bronze medal in the K1W 500m, making history in the process becoming the first British female to win a World Championship medal.
With a World title and bronze medal between them, McKeever, Heath and Schofield were joined by team mate Ed Cox to compete in the frantic relay event. Fighting to the end with the Spanish the team finished in 2nd place taking the silver medal; making it a complete set of medals for Alex Nikonorov 200m squad.
Jono Broome from Newark in Nottinghamshire won Great Britains first World Championship Paracanoeing medal, he claimed the bronze medal in the Mens K1 A category,
The women’s K4 of Edmonds, Cawthorn, Manson and Sawers showed their potential, narrowing missing out on a medal in an extremely tight race, being awarded 5th place after a photo finish.
In the K1 200m Jessica Walker came back to win the B final after missing out on finals place, finishing 10th overall.
The young pairing of Jon Boyton and Ed Rutherford put in strong performances winning the B final in the K2 500m, finishing in 10th and finishing 12th in the K2 1000m. The K4 of Farrell, Wycherley, Hasting and Daniels also finished 12th after narrowly missing out on the final in the semi’s.
After only two months in a K2 together Jenna Hawkey and Angela Hannah finished 7th in the K2 1000m and 16th in the K2 500m .
In the canoes Richard Jefferies who came through the fast track scheme performed well in his first World Championship. The C2 of James Train and Matt Lawrence faced tough opposition finishing 15th in the C2 1000m .
Meet the medallists
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-l6Qwak1jk
For photos visit
aephotos.zenfolio.com/world2010
For full results visit
www.kayak2010.com.