Ponte De Lima, Portugal played host to the 2025 Marathon European Championships over the weekend and set the scene for the British team to bring home nine medals and finish fourth in the overall medal table.
The squad delivered numerous standout performances, not only in medal finishes but also in top five and ten placements, as well as many promising debut appearances. All of which should boost this team going into the next events in the 2025 season.
Words: Holly Mobbs
Will Short adds a third medal to his European Canoe Marathon Championship tally as he takes bronze in K2 with Alex Worgan
Sunday 8th June saw the final day of racing, kicked off with what is often the most chaotic event at any canoe marathon championship: the Junior Men’s K2. Representing Great Britain was Will Short (Elmbridge Canoe Club) and Alex Worgan (Richmond Canoe Club), both racing for the third time during this championship. The question on everyone’s mind: could Will make it three-for-three in the medals with Alex’s support?
The race began with difficulty, as Will and Alex found themselves squeezed into the back washes and positioned off the outside of the front group almost immediately, forcing them into chase mode within the first twenty strokes. Undeterred, they showed grit and determination, setting a relentless pace as they fought their way back through the field.
By the end of the second large lap, the British pair had made up significant ground, closing in on a lead group of four. A disorganised first portage from the leaders created the perfect opportunity for Will and Alex, and they successfully moved up into a chase group of five. The two Hungarian boats managed to slip away at the front.
The next lap was marked by frustration, as indecision within the chase group prevented any meaningful pursuit of the Hungarians. Despite their best efforts to rally a cohesive chase, Will and Alex had to shift focus to securing the bronze.
Approaching the penultimate portage, a strong run broke the group apart, leaving just the British duo and a capable Italian crew in contention for third. A tactical and controlled final lap followed, with Will and Alex taking the lead from the bridge onward. Holding off a final sprint from the Italians, they crossed the line in 1:34:50 to secure the bronze medal.
This result marked a remarkable achievement for Will Short, who became the only Junior Man to medal in all three of his events at the championships; completing the full set of gold, silver, and bronze.
Reflecting on their championships, Alex said:
“The first two laps were pretty hard. I was throwing up before the start because I was quite nervous, which didn’t really help. But then we put the hammer down after the first turn and just pushed hard until we caught up with the group. We managed to get into a group of four before the first portage and then we saw the two Spanish boats fall in and we got into a group with them from there.”
“It was pretty hard to deal with [co-ordinating the group to chase the lead pair]. It was quite frustrating. The Spanish weren’t really agreeing with anything that the group was doing and didn’t want to do much work but we managed to get away from them with the Italians and worked hard to the end.”
“[My personal highlight] was catching the other group up. Will did a really good job and then we managed to break away at the second to last portage as well.”
Will said:
“[We had to] stay relaxed after the start because it is pretty hard, we were quite far back and we just did what we knew what we were good at so I think we executed that well.”
The Senior Women’s K2 event featured a smaller, yet competitive field packed with experienced international paddlers. Great Britain fielded two crews for this race. Katie Brookes (Richmond Canoe Club) and Elise Montagna (Royal Canoe Club) teamed up after strong individual performances in the Under 23 Women’s K1 race earlier in the week. The second British crew featured marathon debutants Jessie Urquhart (Nottingham Kayak Club) and Brynde Kreft (Falcon Canoe Club), both making their first appearance together on the international stage.
A tough start saw both crews miss the front group and its vital washes. Nevertheless, they quickly settled into a determined chase. Within the first two laps, both British boats had overtaken the Danish crews and began reeling in one of the Portuguese pairs, catching them just as they entered a portage.
From there, Katie and Elise broke away alongside the Portuguese team, while Jessie and Brynde, beginning to feel the fatigue, were forced to drop back slightly. A small rudder issue toward the end of the race cost Jessie and Brynde additional time, though they managed to hold their position.
Katie and Elise delivered a strong final lap to secure 7th place in a time of 2:04:01. Jessie and Brynde followed shortly after, finishing in 9th with a time of 2:07:33, a commendable performance in their international marathon debut.
The final race of the day and of the entire championship was the Senior Men’s K2, an event that consistently delivers high drama and excitement. As the afternoon wore on, temperatures climbed to nearly 30°C, adding an extra layer of difficulty to the gruelling 30km course.
Great Britain was represented by two boats: newly-crowned European Champion James Russell (Chelmsford Canoe Club) partnered with Charlie Smith (Nottingham Kayak Club), while young Under 23 athletes Joe Enoch and Sam Cribbett (both of Nottingham Kayak Club) lined up in the second crew.
A blistering start saw both British boats secure spots in the front group. The pace was relentless from the outset, quickly stretching out the field until a lead group of ten formed; a mix of seasoned competitors and promising younger crews. That group remained largely intact through much of the race, with any small splinters managing to rejoin thanks to well-timed efforts. Joe and Sam delivered a particularly impressive performance, repeatedly catching back onto the group and positioning themselves smartly on the wash after each effort.
However, as the race approached the penultimate portage, the intense pace began to take its toll. Both British crews slipped off the back washes and, despite their best efforts, were unable to re-establish contact with the leaders. The final long lap followed by a short lap saw James and Charlie secure 8th place with a time of 2:03:31, closely followed by Joe and Sam in 9th with 2:03:37, just 90 seconds outside the podium.
This race brought a close to an outstanding championship for the British team.
To see the full results from Sunday’s racing, you can visit the Memosoft results site here
James Russell makes British history becoming European Champion in the Senior Men’s K1 at the Canoe Marathon European Championships
James Russell (Chelmsford Canoe Club) was victorious in the K1 Senior Men race on Saturday of the 2025 Canoe Marathon European Championships, becoming the first Brit to claim the title ever. Will Short (Elmbridge Canoe Club) also continued to add to the impressive results from the team as he took the silver medal in the K1 Junior Men race at the start of the day.
The spectators packed the traditional and well-known Ponte-de-Lima bridge for the start of the last race of Saturday and it was the turn of the K1 Senior Men. Representing Great Britain were seasoned international racers, James Russell (Chelmsford Canoe Club) and Matt Johnson (Nottingham Kayak Club). Matt even had the privilege of having the on-board camera for the live stream during his race so as the race got underway we got great shots of his start and how he moved onto the front wash in the lead group. James had a dominant start, finding himself on the front washes from the beginning.
A large group into the first turn meant the back washes were strung out on the start of the upstream stretch. James survived well through the relentless changes of pace throughout the laps into the first portage, whereas Matt dropped back into a respectable chase group. The race has already been deemed one of the best tactical Senior Men K1 races for years, with a highly competitive front group that stretched the field early. Constant wash changing and smart decisions took a lot of energy out of the field but made an exciting race for those watching. It ended up coming down to the final portage, turn and sprint in. Not even the commentary could call it.
A tactical masterclass and raw turn of speed saw James surge past Romahlo from Portugal and Vold for Norway to claim the European Title in a time of 02:06:32 over the 29.8km course. Matt put down a strong finish to secure 15th position in a time of 02:11:30.
Reflecting on his historic win, James said:
“It feels pretty amazing at this point. I am also quite tired so I have a bit of a mix of feelings at the moment but I didn’t know that [I am the first Brit to take the title] going in or after. That’s quite a cool thing to hold and I am really really excited about it.”
“Quite a lot [was going through my mind coming into the last portage and final sprint]. The whole sort of last two laps when it came back together was quite hectic, so much battling for the lead. I just sort of picked my moment and tried to make it stick, which I did going into the last portage. Then I was focusing on getting back in with the group. I knew I had a big finish in me after the short course racing so I was trying to stay attached to the leaders so I could use that in the last hundred metres and it all worked out.”
“I want to give a big shout out to the two canoe clubs. I have been through Chelmsford [canoe club], where I grew up and where I learnt a lot of the racing skills and then my current club at the moment, Nottingham [Kayak Club]. We’ve got a big training group there and I think that definitely paid off today when the group of eight started happening the last two laps. I am lucky enough to train with more than eight people on a regular basis so I think that paid off today.”
The standard distance race in the Junior Men’s K1 category covered 22.6 km and included five portages. Great Britain was represented by Will Short of Elmbridge Canoe Club, fresh off his victory as the newly crowned Junior Men’s K1 Short Course European Champion, and Alex Worgan of Richmond Canoe Club.
With a large field of over 24 boats on the start line, competition for the front washes was fierce. Will launched off the line and quickly secured his place in the lead group. Alex faced a more challenging start but worked hard to get on the wash before the first turn.
As the race progressed upstream, the leading pack began to stretch out and fragment. Will managed to maintain his position in the front group, while Alex found himself dropped back into a chasing pack. The intensity of the portages at the front of the race created a high-stress environment, but Will remained composed and focused throughout.
The medals came down to a final portage and an all-out sprint to the finish. Will delivered a strong run to position himself alongside reigning World Champion Candela of Italy. In a thrilling final push, Candela edged ahead with a slightly quicker sprint finish. Will claimed the silver medal in a time of 1:38:50, adding yet another international medal to his growing collection. Alex continued to fight all the way to the line, finishing a commendable 9th in 1:42:44.
Reflecting on his race, Will said:
“It was very different to the short course [on Thursday] as there was a much bigger group for a lot longer. [Tomorrow] the plan is to stay safe in the first couple of laps and then see what we can do towards the end [in the K2].”
Racing alongside the Junior Men K1, the Senior Women’s C1 event saw Beth Gill of Nottingham Kayak Club return to international marathon competition following injury. Beth got away cleanly from the start line, but a tough battle for wash around the top turn saw her slip back in the field. Despite the setback, she showed determination and resilience, powering through the race to finish in a time of 1:27:45. With her return to form underway, we look forward to seeing Beth competing at the front of the international marathon scene once again.
In a fiercely competitive Junior Women’s K2 race, Britain was represented by two boats. Kamila Sklenarova of Norwich Canoe Club paired with marathon debutant Frankie Scrivener of Falcon Canoe Club, while Elmbridge Canoe Club’s Sophie Dunlop teamed up with 15-year-old Matilda Burton, making her international debut.
Sophie and Matilda got off to a fantastic start, confidently securing a spot in the front group. Kamila and Frankie experienced some early incidents but skillfully latched onto the wash of a Hungarian K2, allowing them to bridge up to the leaders. A tight group of over ten boats remained intact through the first lap, but the pace and tactical turns eventually caused a split before the first portage.
Both British crews found themselves in the chase group, working hard to stay in contention. Kamila and Frankie crossed the line in 6th place with a time of 1:33:05, closely followed by Sophie and Matilda, who finished 8th in 1:33:17.
After her race, Frankie said:
“It went very well. We had clean portages on all of them and we stayed calm. We had a good race. The flow [is a particular challenge]. We had to be careful on both turns, and had to learn which arch is best to take the quickest line. We practiced it on the water before the race and tested it out as well as having other opinions from the seniors of how they found the course and learning from them.”
The Senior Women’s K1 featured a small yet highly competitive field. Melissa Johnson of Nottingham Kayak Club represented Great Britain for the third consecutive year at the European Canoe Marathon Championships. The race began with a battle for position, and Melissa found herself contesting the back washes of the front group alongside Denmark’s Winther. As the race unfolded, the front group fractured due to a mix of high pace and capsizes. Melissa remained composed, staying in the hunt within the chase pack.
A powerful final lap saw her reel in Czechia paddler Katrina Milova, and the two engaged in a head-to-head sprint to the finish. Melissa surged ahead to take 8th place, crossing the line in a time of 2:09:53, which is another strong performance on the European stage.
To see the full results from Saturday’s racing, you can visit the Memosoft results site here.
Double medals to conclude the Para Exhibition Races at the Canoe Marathon European Championships
On Friday Jon White (Exeter Canoe Club) celebrated his birthday in style by winning gold in the KL2 Men’s para race, while Tim Lodge (Wey Kayak Club) claimed silver in the KL3 Men’s category. Their success marked a triumphant end to the British Para Team’s campaign in Ponte de Lima, Portugal.
Friday began with a full schedule for the British Canoe Marathon Team as racing moved to the traditional long marathon distance. The day opened with the K1 Junior Women’s 19km race, which included four portages. Dianora De Bilio (Royal Canoe Club), fresh off a fifth-place finish in the Short Course, returned to the water alongside teammate Kamila Sklenarova (Norwich Canoe Club), who was competing in her third European Championship.
Both athletes made a strong start, settling into the lead group early. However, the relentless pace set by two Hungarian competitors broke the group apart on lap two. Dianora managed to hold the wash for another half lap before dropping back, while Kamila continued her effort in a chase group. In the closing stages, Dianora battled Ireland’s Lucy Cullen and secured fourth place with a time of 1:35:16. Kamila followed in eighth, finishing in 1:37:59. Dianora still has two years left of the junior category so we look forward to seeing her at future internationals.
The midday session featured the second set of Para Exhibition races, including the KL2 and KL3 Men’s events. It marked the international debut of Finlay Stallard (Fladbury Canoe Club) in the KL3 category, alongside seasoned athlete Tim Lodge (Wey Kayak Club). Jon White competed in the KL2 event. All para categories shared a start line. A long hold followed by a quick start unfortunately caused Finlay to capsize after just a few strokes. Despite the early setback, he restarted and showed resilience by finishing fifth in 1:13:47. Tim Lodge fought a fierce battle against two French paddlers in the first lap before breaking away to secure silver with a time of 1:10:01.
Reflecting on his race, Tim said:
“It was a great race and one I’m really proud of. It was an honour to be on the start line with Serhii Yemelianov (Georgia), the most decorated para KL3 athlete in the sport. I last raced him back in 2015 at the 200m Worlds, so to still be here competing at this level means a lot. Even after a tough winter rehabbing two major shoulder tears and spending time off the water, I’m still learning, still improving, and my love for the sport never fades. I feel incredibly lucky to be part of such a supportive group at Wey Kayak Club, and to be working with Ivan [Lawler], Roland [Lawler], and the brilliant young athletes at Elmbridge as well. My training will now focus on building aerobic capacity and overall fitness as I prepare for the World Championships in Hungary, the first official para marathon worlds. At 53, I’m still here, thirteen years after this life-changing journey began with a phone call from David Battershell, a man who changed my life forever. This silver is for you, my old friend, someone who gave so much and is deeply missed.”
In the KL2 race, Jon White got off to a clean start, benefiting from a year’s focus on sprint work. He gained an early advantage after the first turn and held his lead over the three-lap course, finishing in 1:13:06 to take the gold medal.
After his race, Jon said:
“the start line was a bit disorganised and I found myself at the end of the line, so I gave myself space and got a clean start. Two of my competitors initially moved ahead of me but I was able to enter the first turn just ahead and took a couple of boat lengths out of them there. Then it was just head down and focus on the KL3 paddlers ahead to keep me going. It was hard work today as I was paddling alone for most of the race, but it was nice to be in the lead with just a bit of pressure from behind. I am obviously focusing on the Worlds in Hungary next, but I also want to try and log a 200m PR before then too.”
These medals conclude the para racing at the 2025 European Championships. The team now shifts its focus to the inaugural Para Canoe Marathon World Championships this September, where athletes will compete for official world titles for the first time.
The afternoon brought the U23 K1 events, with four British athletes in action.
The Women’s Under 23 race was a hotly contested but competitive field which saw Elise Montagna (Royal Canoe Club) having a spectacular start to make the front group comfortably and in a good position. Katie Brookes also had a strong start but a small collision as the groups merged, resulting in her having to do a massive catch up to secure the front group again. Both managed to stick with the front group heading into the first portage, but as the pace increased, they struggled to stay on the washes to maintain contact. A dedicated race saw Katie finish in 11th and Elise in 16th. They pair up for the K2 Senior Women’s race on Sunday, where we are excited to cheer them on.
The final race of the day featured U23 Men Harry Freeland (Elmbridge Canoe Club) and Joe Enoch (Nottingham Kayak Club). The race was action-packed and engaging from the beginning with both British paddlers making the front group of over 15 paddlers. Frustratingly, a collision as the large group came out of the bridge saw Harry take a swim, which sent him immediately to the back of the field. However, his task was reset and he put his head down and spent the rest of the race clawing his way back through the field in impressive style. Harry finished in 14th position in a time of 01:57:10.
Joe made his Under 23 debut, after winning World silver in the junior boys K2 in 2024, and he demonstrated an air of confidence and resilience throughout with multiple catch-ups and some epic tactical moves into optimal positions to support his survival in the top group. This dedication clearly demonstrated Joe’s ability to make the step into the senior races and secured him an 8th position in a time of 01:54:09.
To see the full results from Friday’s races, visit the Memosoft site here.
Short Course races provides action, medals and heart-break for the British team at the Canoe Marathon European Championships
Thursday 5th June, Will Short (Elmbridge Canoe Club) was crowned K1 Junior Men Short Course European Champion in a strategic and smart head-to-head race against Sean Butterly from Ireland, while James Russell (Chelmsford Canoe Club) upgraded his 2024 European Bronze medal by claiming an excellent silver medal in the K1 Senior Men Short Course Final.
The European Championships in Ponte de Lima, Portugal, saw continued British success in the fast-paced short course format; an exciting 3.2km event featuring tight turns and two portages. Despite persistent rain, all British athletes progressed through their morning heats to reach the finals.
The K1 Junior Boys Short Course final got off to a lightning-fast start with both British boys having to fight hard to stay with the lead group in the opening stages. Alex Worgan (Richmond Canoe Club) demonstrated impressive river knowledge and tactical skill, steadily clawing back positions as the race progressed.
Will Short made a decisive move as the race turned upstream, positioning himself in second place approaching the first portage. Ireland’s Sean Butterly launched a powerful surge out of the portage. Will stayed close, riding his wash and matching the pace. The effort took its toll on the Irish paddler, and Will seized the opportunity, confidently overtaking him around the final turn. With a strong and composed run into the finish, Will Short crossed the line first, securing the European title with a commanding performance and a finishing time of 00:13:53.
Will reflected on his race:
“It feels pretty good [being European Champion]. I am really happy with it. I wasn’t really expecting it. I thought there would be more people around the second lap but I was happy and I hung in there until the end. The next race is a completely different race. It settles quite quickly. I will go in with the race plan I originally had and pull hard and hope to get another good result.”
Alex Worgan delivered an impressive performance in his international marathon debut, securing a 10th place finish with a time of 00:14:40.
In the Senior Men’s K1 Short Course final, the race opened at a blistering pace, with James Russell and Charlie Smith of Nottingham Kayak Club both settling into strong positions within the lead group and navigating the first turn smoothly.
As the paddlers approached the first portage, a crowded and chaotic entry led to some tense moments. James took on water during the get-out, while Charlie became entangled with Norway’s Jon Vold during the get-in.
Despite the setback, James recovered quickly and broke away with Portuguese marathon legends Fernando Pimenta and José Romalho. Meanwhile, Charlie was left battling in the wash of the chase pack, working hard to close the gap.
The final 250 metres saw a thrilling sprint from the top four, where tactics, speed, and endurance were tested to the limit. James Russell dug deep and showed his class, surging forward to claim the silver medal in a time of 00:13:18, just centimetres behind gold medallist Fernando Pimenta in a photo finish. This outstanding result adds to James’s growing success in the senior marathon ranks, marking another milestone in his impressive progression.
After his race, James said:
“Looking at the start list, you know that Pimenta is going to start quickly or Vold. It was a bit of a gamble to go to the wash early but I think it paid off because then I got a free ride around the first turn. Working out who the big players will be from the start is key because once you are on the back foot, it can be hard to come through. The course was very different with it being on a river. It was swirly on the start, and you had to tuck tightly into the bank on the way up to the portage. A lot more to think about and it makes racing quite stressful but I think that suits me quite well as I train on a river with a lot of flow so I am used to it.”
Charlie Smith, returning to international competition after injury, finished in 14th place. He now looks ahead to the K2 event, where he will team up with James on Sunday afternoon. James will also race in the K1 race on Saturday afternoon.
The Junior Girls K1 final was the first of the day, featuring international marathon debuts for Dianora De Bilio (Royal Canoe Club) and Sophie Dunlop (Elmbridge Canoe Club).
A strong start from Dianora saw her secure a back v-wash in the lead group, which she used to move into second position after the first turn. She pushed hard into the first portage and found herself in medal contention, an impressive feat for one of the youngest competitors in the field.
However, a rapid portage shuffled the field and dropped her into the chasing group, with Sophie one group behind. Dianora finished a commendable fifth in a time of 00:16:02, while Sophie secured sixth after battling her way through the field in a time of 00:16:17. Dianora will compete again in the long course race, and Sophie returns to action in the K2.
In the Senior Women’s C1 Short Course final, there was heartbreak for Beth Gill (Nottingham Kayak Club), who had dominated the race from the outset. A collision with the Hungarian paddler heading into the final portage caused Beth to capsize and fill her boat with water. Unfortunately, it was too late in the race for a recovery. She crossed the line in seventh, but a subsequent 30-second penalty related to the incident saw her final position drop to tenth. Beth will look to bounce back in the long course event on Saturday.
The Senior Women’s K1 Short Course final featured a highly competitive field, including the international marathon debut of Jessica Urquhart and another final appearance for Melissa Johnson, both from Nottingham Kayak Club.
A rapid start had both British athletes fighting to stay on the wash of the lead group. Melissa capitalised on a strong first portage to gain several positions, while Jessie continued to contend with the tough pace at the back of the group. Ultimately, Melissa finished 11th in a time of 00:15:31, with Jessie in 18th in a time of 00:16:07, both gaining valuable experience at the highest level.
For full results, you can visit the memosoft site here.
Opening day of elite races at the Canoe Marathon European Championships produces silverware for the British Para athletes
Wednesday 4th June saw the start of the Elite races for the 2025 edition of the Canoe Marathon European Championships in Ponte-de-Lima, Portugal.
The 24-strong British team travelled out on Monday and Tuesday with the first para races taking place on Wednesday of the championship.
Charlotte Creamer (Leighton Buzzard Canoe Club) and Shaun Cook (Norwich Canoe Club) took to the water to race in the KL3 Women and VL2 Men categories respectively.
Despite para canoe only appearing for the second time at the European Championships as an exhibition race, the para races are becoming more competitive with a larger number of entries from different countries. We are looking forward to seeing this category grow year on year, particularly as it has now been made an official World Championship category of race for the 2025 edition.
Charlotte Creamer appeared for the first time in the canoe marathon international team but she was not limited in experience and confidence with marathon racing as a whole. A dominant strong start saw her break away quickly from the two French ladies in her category and this lead never dropped, resulting in an excellent debut gold medal in the KL3 women category.
Speaking after her race, Charlotte said:
“The race was good. I did a lot better than I thought I was going to do. Unfortunately it was a little bit of a lonely race but that was nice as I could follow the river how I wanted to and there was no drama, no stress.
“It was a very warm course and a bit of flow, which meant I had to take the turns wider in my para boat. It’s a beautiful part of Portugal, with stunning scenery and a beautiful bridge to go under. The support from British fans and my parents was fantastic and it’s been a really special moment. I honestly cannot believe that I am a European Champion. My journey in general post amputation has been very fast. I am incredibly grateful that I have won this medal.”
“I am just really grateful for everybody that has helped me, particularly the Paracanoe Academy and Tim Scott for Norwich Canoe Club and just the wider paddling community. I am incredibly lucky to have so much support from most clubs in the country and I absolutely love all the messages of support I have had. I would really like to thank the wider canoeing world and everybody out there for their support around me. Thank you. Our sport is definitely incredibly special and there is always someone who will help you.”
Shaun Cook has now become a regular and experienced member of the canoe marathon international team after first appearing in 2022 when the category was introduced to the discipline. With a newer and lighter va’a boat, Shaun had a tight battle against French and Portuguese competitors, which saw him claim the silver medal for the second year in a row.
Speaking after his race, Shaun said “The race was a hard one. I feel proud to have earned a medal and even shaved a few minutes from my previous 12 km on this course (in 2022). The course was difficult for me. I have very little core strength due to the high level of spinal injury and my Va’a also has no rudder. It was a battle steering through the different flows and swirls but overcoming these challenges is a great feeling.”
These two medals follow after an exceptional two days of racing for the Masters team which saw Great Britain take third in the medal table. Masters races are anyone aged over 34 racing in five year age bands for K1/C1 and ten year age bands for K2/C2. A wide variety of ages, experience and clubs travelled out to Portugal individually to make up an exciting British team.
British marathon legend, Brian Greenham (Reading Canoe Club), yet again claimed the top spot of the K1 75-79 Men category, with Gilbert Speirs (Linlithgow Kayak Club) joining him in earning a gold medal in the K1 70-74 Men category. It was British dominance in the K1 Men 70-74 category as David Flynn took silver as well.
The K2/C2 racing on Tuesday saw more medals for the team, with Paul Dimmock and ex-Olympian Robin Williams (both Wey Kayak Club) taking silver in the K2 Men 65-74 category kick starting the day. Gina Moullec (Gloucester Canoe Club) and Emma Watts (Wey Kayak Club) took bronze in the K2 Women 35-44 category. The mixed K2 races saw Jane Millar (Nottingham Kayak Club) and Bryn Price (Maidstone Canoe Club) take bronze in the 65-74 category.
These medals also fail to show the variety of top ten places also achieved by others on the team, meaning the Canoe Marathon European Championships week started successfully for Great Britain.
Reflecting on the results, the Marathon Racing Committee Chairman Stan Missen said, “I am so impressed to see these performances by our Masters team in person over the last couple of days and greatly enjoyed being part of the team myself, just missing out on the medals. Marathon Racing is for everyone and the variety of medals at different ages as well as lots of people being willing to race, clearly shows this. I wish the main team the best of luck for the next few days. I know we are all excited to cheer them on from home.”
Looking ahead, attention now shifts to the National Canoe Marathon Championships, set to take place in Norwich on the 26th and 27th of July. In August, the spotlight turns to the World Games in Chengdu, where James Russell (Chelmsford Canoe Club) and Melissa Johnson (Nottingham Kayak Club) will proudly represent Great Britain on the global stage.