The PaddlerUK magazine December 2015 issue 5 | Page 74

PADDLERUK 74

The semi-finals
were held on Friday
and the pressure was building as the stands and
surrounding woods became fuller with families
now in place from all over the world. The Brits
rose to the occasion and a whopping seven of
them made the final, making the proud and
pleased competitors the best five in the world in
their respective categories. Our brave seven
Brits had a short training session and one
evening to mentally prepare themselves for
Saturday’s finals. Where better for mental
preparation than the beautiful Wilderness Tours
site, watching the sun go down over the river
from the easy chairs or the hot tub.
A hot, sunny morning greeted us on Saturday at
the Garburator. The stand, the river banks and
the woods were brimming with spectators as
Canadians joined the crowds to catch the
events. The air was heavy with excitement and
expectation. Photographer Dave Wortley
and GB Coach Bruce (Broos) Jolliffe were
at the ready for this last day of photo
shots and footage, looking to capture the
best action yet.
Young Sophie McPeak was the first of our
finalists to paddle out into the Garburator for
the junior women’s final. Having trained all
summer with the junior men, she was prepared.
In this, her first International event, Sophie was
up against fearsome American opponents, Sage
Donnelly and Derby McAdams. Sage’s scores
would intimidate most senior men. After a tough
first run and supported by coaches Jacko and
Den, Sophie produced her medal winning run
and claimed bronze, grinning as she took her last
run down the rapid.
Next on, an amazing three Brits in the Junior men’s
final, to the immense pride of Den and Jacko, Hugo
Anthony, Charlie Brackpool and Hugo Scott.Three
good friends who trained together all summer
with the junior ladies, all growing in skill and stature
as the summer went on, but with some cost.
Charlie’s rallied against a shoulder injury that was
known only to those close to him. Medal chances
depended on the best of their three runs and they
were really up against it facing Fabian Lanao from
France and the famous super powerful kayaker
Alec Voorhees from the US. Hugo Anthony piled
the pressure on and set himself up as the one to
beat in his first run.Two runs later and despite a
strong, last run, challenge from Alec, he emerged
as the Champion with Hugo Scott taking bronze
and Charlie coming in fifth.

Sophie McPeak