Today saw the 18th European Youth Olympic Festival include canoe slalom for the first time in the competition’s history.
In the past, canoe sprint has featured at the Summer European Youth Olympic Festival, but this time, slalom paddlers also had their chance to shine.
In Skopje, North Macedonia, 61 athletes competed in four canoe slalom events: men’s kayak, women’s kayak, men’s canoe, and women’s canoe.
On the Treska River, kayakers and canoeists first faced the heats, followed by the finals this afternoon, with the top 12 athletes from each event qualifying for the finals.
Three of those 61 athletes represented Great Britain.
Sophie Forster competed in the women’s kayak, coming in fifth during heats before finishing the final in eighth with a time of 132.63.
Initially receiving eight-seconds of penalties in her heats, Forster went on to receive ten-seconds of penalties in her finals race.
Men’s canoe saw Jake Mitchell place 12th in heats. He later upgraded his finishing position, coming in seventh overall during the final in 117.90.
After initially receiving four two-second penalties in his heat race, he reduced this during his finals with only six seconds worth of penalties.
Chloe Holmes qualified for the finals in 12th position after she missed gate 23.
Holmes flew through the gates during her final, only receiving a two-second penalty and securing sixth place with a time of 146.17.
A full list of results can be found here.