Dane Jackson Photo : Bence Vekassy
Gav Barker Photo : Kevin Bonar
Spain ’ s Quim Fontané Masó Photo : Bence Vekassy
MEN ’ S K1 The senior men ’ s category will be fiercely competitive . Dane Jackson , USA . Perhaps the GOAT in kayaking generally , let alone freestyle , Dane will be looking to prove that the new Rockstar V is as good in a hole as it is on a wave , which is what it is primarily designed for .
Quim Fontané Masó . The Catalonian has an aggressive , powerful style , an experienced competitor who fell just short on his home turf in Sort 2019 . He will be looking for redemption and another world ’ s title . But so will his long-time training partner David Mclure . Having made the finals at the previous worlds and winning the European gold team , Ireland will look to take a medal sport in the upcoming worlds .
Team GB has three exceptional athletes in , Robert Crowe , Harry Price , and Gavin Barker , alongside the international athletes . I wouldn ’ t count any of them out ! They are all capable of topping the podium and are the only three athletes in ICF history to break the 2,000-point barrier for a single ride .
The Nottingham-born local Rob Crowe held the ICF competition record for minutes before Harry Price pipped his score at last year ’ s Brit champs . With the smoothest style in the competition and the purest technique of any paddler , Rob certainly has the talent , skills and determination to succeed . He has beaten the biggest names in freestyle , but not on the world championship stage . Can he make one last step for gold with a home crowd behind him ?
Always with a smile on his face , Harry Price is an allround nice guy , but don ’ t let that fool you . He is fiercely competitive . Harry is the current holder of the world record highest score ever in an ICF event . Harry Price and his partner Ottie Robinson-Shaw will want to make these worlds their own . Will the couple both walk home with gold medals around their necks ?
Gav Barker was the ‘ 2K club ’ ( 2,000 points in a ride ) founding member after first scoring over 2k in 2019 . He will be one of the competition ’ s oldest competitors ( barring EJ , of course ), and he will want to leave his mark on this year ’ s worlds , competing on his home turf . Gav has the ability to go huge !
Rob Crowe Photo : Lisette Nixon
Team GB has three exceptional athletes in , Robert Crowe , Harry Price , and Gavin Barker ,
ThePADDLER
13