Slalom athletes were back in domestic action again this weekend as they concluded the 2025 selection series at the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham.
Athletes travelled to Holme Pierrepont to battle out rounds three and four of canoe slalom, hoping to earn a spot on the international team for the upcoming season.
Across the series, athletes took on four rounds of canoe slalom selection, taking their best three results forward to count towards selection, with the first two rounds taking place at Lee Valley White Water Centre two weeks ago.
Two senior places were up for grabs in the women’s kayak with Kimberley Woods (Rugby) pre-selected after winning bronze at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
U23 World Champion Lois Leaver (Edinburgh Schools) continued her form from Lee Valley two weeks ago as she banked another first and second place across the two rounds in Nottingham, putting herself in strong contention for the upcoming season.
Nikita Setchell (Holme Pierrepont) also starred on the Nottingham waters, taking the race win in round three, whilst Sophie Ogilvie (CR Cats) achieved two top-three finishes during Saturday.
Ellis Miller (Lee Valley) and Macy Kang (Holme Pierrepont) put good results forward going towards their U23 process, whilst Zoe Blythe-Shields (Lee Valley) produced a further win in the junior event to strengthen her 2025 campaign.
With Paris 2024 silver medallist Adam Burgess (Stafford & Stone) pre-selected due to his Olympic success in the French capital last year, his results weren’t counted towards selection.
Meaning it was 2023 European Champion Ryan Westley (Lower Wharfe) who ensured maximum points in his selection bid, thanks to a race win in round four, being closely followed by Peter Linksted (Falkirk & Stirling).
Stafford & Stone’s Luc Royle was the athlete to take the round-three win ahead of Westley, boosting the U23’s chances of reaching the 2025 international season.
Phil Smith (Winchester & District CC) and Ed McDonald (Holme Pierrepont) too enjoyed good performances over the weekend in the race for U23 selection, with the pair taking a second place each, whilst junior Lewis Arden (Manvers) produced a standout run in the third round to secure strong selection points.
In the men’s kayak, senior World Cup medallist Jonny Dickson (CR Cats) and David Paterson (Manchester) took a win each across Saturday’s racing.
Dickson was closely followed by 2023 World Champion Joe Clarke MBE (Stafford & Stone) in round three, whilst U23 international medallist Sam Leaver (Edinburgh Schools) also claimed a second place in round four, meaning he won both U23 rounds in Nottingham.
Gwion Williams (Llandysul) continued his form on the junior stage, winning both rounds in Nottingham to make it four from four over the series.
An U23 world silver medallist last season, Ellis Miller returned for the women’s canoe where she dominated the day with two race wins, topping both senior and U23 events in rounds three and four.
Kimberley Woods followed up her success at Lee Valley with another second place , adding further points to her selection bid.
It was the same for 2021 U23 World Champion Beth Forrow (Lee Valley), who too claimed a second place, finishing with three top three finishes over the series as she returns to racing after having a baby in 2023.
Behind Miller in the U23s, Sadie Sterry (Llandysul) achieved two impressive second-placed results with Darcey McMullins (Lee Valley) and Jasmine Wilde (Frome) being the top juniors of the day, winning a round each.
Keep an eye on the Paddle UK channels throughout the weekend for further information about the 2025 international teams.