Gwion Williams and Olwen Yates claimed medals on the final day of action at the U23 and Junior Canoe Slalom European Championships in Solkan, Slovenia.
Williams took home the silver medal in the junior men’s kayak cross, while Yates had earlier taken the bronze in the junior women’s kayak cross individual.
It was an entertaining ending to proceedings in Slovenia, with the British paddlers showing what they could do in the kayak cross, doubling their overall medal tally in the process.
Yates impressed early with the third quickest time in the kayak cross time trial, to claim individual bronze in a time of 48.90 seconds, just two hundredths off silver.
“Going into the competition I hoped for a result that could back my result at the World Championship. I wanted to stay composed under pressure and put down runs I am proud of, I think I managed all of that,” says Yates.
“I proved what I can do on the water and learnt that I can stay calm and confident even in high pressure situations even there’s nerves.
“I am proud of my bronze medal.”
Elsewhere in the women’s junior kayak cross individual, Arina Kontchakov finished 10th, while Darcey McMullins was just behind her in 12th.
Following the time trial, the trio all competed in the racing with McMullins eliminated in the heats, while Kontchakov reached the quarter-finals before bowing out.
Yates made it all the way to the semis but missed out on a spot in the final and a chance of a second medal.
In the men’s junior kayak cross, Williams had produced the 11th best time in the time trial, finishing in 45.29 seconds.
That a little quicker than Harry Kirby who finished 13th, while Dominic Thomas was a bit further back in 24th.
Kirby was then knocked out in the heats, while Thomas made it to the quarter-finals but did not progress.
Williams, however, made it all the way to the final and finished second only to Michal Kopecek of Czechia.
“I’m proud of becoming vice European Champion in kayak cross, I just wanted to put down a successful run and beat last year’s performance,” says Williams.
“The hard work pays off and I’m capable of competing with some of the best junior in Europe.
“I just want to thank Llandysul Paddlers, and Canoe Wales lottery funding for all the support.”
In the women’s U23 kayak cross, Joely Walling, Katherine Shattock and Macy Kang were all tightly bunched, finished 18th, 19th and 23rd respectively in the time trial.
All three then progressed from the heats before going out at the quarter-final stage.
Finally, in the men’s U23 kayak cross, Thomas Mayer was 12th after the time trial with a time of 43.81. Compatriots Sam Leaver and Edward McDonald came home in 20th and 26th.
None of the three were able to progress from the heats in the racing in the afternoon, however.
After this final day of competition, the British paddlers close out the competition with four medals in all, two silvers for Kontchakov and Williams, as well as bronzes for Yates and the men’s U23 kayak team.
Lead Academy Coach Nathalie Siegrest commented on the teams performance across the competition:
“Solkan offered the full array of emotions and we saw athletes learning meaningful lessons on and off the water that are invaluable for their future.
“We set up to reach individual excellence in a team environment through positivity, support and friendly competitiveness.
“The results show the potential for more and this generation of athletes are going home with ambition to progress and enthusiasm for the sport.”