GB CANOEING PRESS RELEASE
9th May 2008

GB Slalom team battle for medals in the European Championships –
which doubles up as Olympic qualification

The European Championships take place in Krakow, Poland this weekend between 8th – 11th May, 2008. It is the first time that Poland has hosted a Senior Slalom European Championships.

The European Championships present a second chance to qualify a boat in the C2 (canoe double) class for Beijing. Boats in the other classes have already been secured, but the GB C2 crews have not, so they will be battling against the best crews in the World to secure a boat in Beijing.

There is a lot at stake and the crews; Tim Baillie & Etienne Stott and Dan Goddard & Nick Smith will be looking forward to beating the main competitors; Poland, Russia and Slovenia on Sunday.

Notes on C2 qualification

The ICF (International Canoe Federation) qualification system is divided into two rounds. The first round (which is a Global Competition) was the Senior World Championships in 2007. The second round (which is a Continental Round) takes place this year. The continental round is split into five continental groups. Great Britain is in the European pool, and as the Europeans are regarded as the strongest competitors in slalom, the C2 crews will have to put in a top class performance to secure a boat in Beijing.

The Europeans are also an opportunity for those who will be nominated to the BOA (British Olympic Association) for the GB Olympic team – Silver Olympic medallist from Athens - Campbell Walsh, David Florence and Fiona Pennie - to further sharpen their racing skills and confirm their ability.

Yesterday the heats took place and all of the GB athletes have got through to the semi finals and finals on Saturday and Sunday. Richard Hounslow had an awesome first heat, winning the race. Today the K1 men, K1 women and C1 men are competing in the team events.

For more in-depth analysis of the European Championships visit the BCU World Class Olympic Podium Programmes and go to Slalom news – http://worldclass-canoeing.org.uk/wcp/119-2-slalom-news.aspx

THE GB TEAM

Men’s K1 (kayak single)

Campbell Walsh

Richard Hounslow

Andy Hadfield

Women’s K1 (kayak single)

Fiona Pennie

Laura Blakeman

Louise Donnington

Men’s C1 (canoe single)

David Florence

Stuart McIntosh

Mark Proctor

Men’s C2 (canoe double)

Tim Baillie & Etienne Stott

Nick Smith & Dan Goddard