Great Britain’s team returned to international action at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup 4 in Ivrea, Italy, with all six athletes progressing safely through to the semi-finals of the individual kayak events.
First up in the women’s kayak was Lois Leaver (Edinburgh Schools). A clean run in heat 1 in a time of 98.70 was not enough to ensure qualification and the top twenty.
In the second run the under 23 world champion went clear again, in a much improved time of 91.60, to secure a semi-final spot.
Mallory Franklin was next up, and an early touch on gate four didn’t hold back the Winsdor athlete, who comfortably qualified for the semi-finals in ninth place.
Following a tremendous Olympic bronze medal in Paris, Kimberley Woods made a strong start, before catching the downstream gates 20 and 22 to claim 12th place and also progress to Friday’s semi-final.
In the men’s kayak Jake Brown (Tees Tigers) looked to be on for a clean run in heat 1, until a late touch on the upstream gate 18 saw him miss out of the qualifying places by 0.30 second.
In the second run Jake secured qualification, thanks to a clean run and a top ten finish, ensuring all six GB athletes progressed into the semi-finals.
Fresh from becoming Under 23 European Champion, Ben Haylett also made it through to the semi-finals. A touch on gate 11 did not hold back the Holme Pierrepont paddler, who delivered a composed run on the second half of the course for a spot in the top 20..
Chris Bowers (Stafford & Stone) was the second British athlete to qualify, with a measured clean run to claim a place in the top thirty in 21st.
The six athletes will return to the water tomorrow afternoon for the semi-finals, with Olympic silver medallist Adam Burgess leading the British contingent in the individual canoe events in the morning, alongside fellow Olympians Mallory Franklin and Kimberley Woods.
The full results from the World Cup can be found here
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