The PaddlerUK magazine December 2015 issue 5 | Page 77

on our senior ladies, the reigning world
champion and top of the leader board
Claire O’Hara and Emily Ward who is
also a previous world champion. They
launched into the finals up against
world renowned Emily Jackson from
the US, Hitomi Takatu (a squirt boat
medalist) from Japan and Ekaterina
Kulkova from Russia.
This was not going to be easy and Emily
Jackson stamped her winning mark on
the first run, following through with an
even better score in the last run. Claire
raised her game to take the bronze
medal and Emily took fifth place.

Paul Ramsdale. River Dee. Image: Pete Astles

The sun beat down

The ultimate men’s final saw our Bren
Orton up against fellow stars of the
kayaking stage, Mathieu Dumoulin,
Quim Fontane Maso, Dane Jackson
and Nick Troutman. Dane nailed the
first round with an epic 1560 points.
Mat came close in the next round only
to be soundly defeated in the third
round by Gold medallist Dane. Bren
performed bravely in the face of
enormous pressure and came in fifth
just behind Quim. We look forward to
a re-match in the nex t World
Championships.
On Saturday after the events came to
a close, Wilderness Tours put on a
closing banquet and the presentations
were made. To our pride, the National
Anthem was played twice for Great
Britain. A party to end all parties
followed with a fantastic disco.
Team GB was able to let its hair down
before a proud and triumphant return to
Britain.The next World Championships
are to be held in Rio in 2017 and our
young team hope to return yet more
impressive and eager to get the best
positions and the most medals.

Whitewater Suit. Now £499

QUALITY • PERFORMANCE • DESIGN