Athletes on course for Tokyo ambitions after selection event
The country ’ s best flat water racers made their claim for the Tokyo 2020 Games at the Olympic and Paralympic Flatwater Selection Event , held at the National Water Sports Centre in Nottinghamshire on 17 / 18 April .
In fine weather and favourable conditions , there were two days of exciting racing with canoe sprint and paracanoe athletes back in action on the water for the first time in over 18 months , at the Covid-secure event .
Athletes were looking to secure selection for the 2021 senior Great Britain international teams and onwards to the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games . www . britishcanoeing . org . uk
The paracanoe athletes were looking to put themselves in contention for the Paralympic Games , with Tokyo boat quota places and individual spots also up for grabs at the final qualifying event in Szeged in May , which will complete the selection process .
Current World Champion Charlotte Henshaw claimed three victories in the women ’ s KL2 . In a blistering first round Charlotte recorded a course record of 48.43 , with Emma Wiggs just behind in her fastest time in the kayak for two years at 49.87 , her fastest time in the kayak for two years .
Emma , who is looking to make Paralympic history by competing in two canoeing events in Tokyo , also showed good form in the VL2 on Saturday , the event she is reigning world champion in .
It took a world ’ s best time for Laura Sugar to claim victory in the KL3 ahead of in form Hope Gordon to put herself in contention for selection for the postponed Paralympic Games .
Laura Sugar
Robert Oliver
In the men ’ s events Rio 2016 Paraympian Robert Oliver ( Solihull ) put down a marker in the KL3 by winning the first two rounds of the day .
But with Rob not starting in the final round , Jonny Young ( CANI ) took the victory adding to his two second place finishes , ahead of Tim Lodge ( Wey ).
In a world class field of international medallists , Stuart Wood , won all three of the men ’ s VL3 races , doing everything he could to impress the selectors to try and secure a debut spot at the Games .
Rio 2016 bronze medallist Ian Marsden was also in fine form , on his return to water in the men ’ s KL1 , stringing together a series of strong races , recording 50.85 in the first round .
In the men ’ s KL2 it was Dave Phillipson who took the spoils ahead of Rio 2016 Paralympic bronze medalist Nick Beighton , with a fine set of victories across the three rounds , including a blistering personal best time of 42.54 in the first round .
Subject to selection , Dave and Nick will now hope to secure the British boat quota place for the KL2 at the final qualifying event in Szeged in May .