|
David Ford (photo: Rfort Fotos)
|
|
Ben Hayward (photo: Rfort Fotos)
|
|
Cameron Smedley (photo: Rfort Fotos)
|
|
Haley Daniels (photo: Rfort Fotos)
|
MINDEN, ON – CanoeKayak Canada is pleased to name its canoe slalom teams to represent Canada at ICF World Cups, World Championships and the Junior & Under 23 World Championships.
The teams are selected based on the results of National Team Trials, held at the Minden Wildwater Perserve in Ontario on Saturday and Sunday. Heavy rainfalls in the area last week made for flow rates that doubled ordinary conditions. Competitors battled against challenging conditions, barrelling through gates and edging around turns, to post the fastest time possible in their best three out of four runs that made up their final score.
World Champion and five-time Olympian David Ford of Edmonton, AB came out on top in Senior Men’s K1. He won both runs on the first day and placed second on his best run of day two to claim the spot as the top competitor. Ford says it feels good to win after time off from an injury last season.
“I’m happy with the consistency and after being injured for a year it’s nice racing again pain free,” said Ford. “A year away makes things a little rusty so I’m looking forward to being a little sharper for World Cups.”
Ford is looking forward to World Championship coming to North America next year and says making another run for an Olympic medal is still a possibility.
“I’m not sure really what my plans are beyond next year so I’ll take it one race at a time.”
Ben Hayward of Edmonton was ranked second in Senior Men’s K1, winning the third run and placing second on his other runs. Hayward is back in action after having shoulder surgery several months ago and said racing in challenging conditions is good practice for World Cup competitions.
“The water levels made for more of a wide open course which is a little different than what we’re usually racing on, but it’s all for the best because we’ll be racing on big whitewater in Europe,” said Hayward. “I felt like my runs went pretty well … it’s just good to be back in the boat after struggling from injury.”
Jessica Groeneveld of Innisfail, AB threw down three winning runs to take the top spot in the Senior Women’s K1. She met performance standards on all of her runs to qualify for World Cups and World Championships.
“I’m happy with my focus and how I was able to adapt and push through the difficult conditions,” said Groeneveld. “I’m happy with my outcome and excited to move on and race this summer.”
Cameron Smedley of Dunrobin, ON was the top competitor in Senior Men’s C1. He had three wins and posted the performance standard percentage time to qualify for World Cups, World Championships and Under 23 World Championships.
“I think I started off the weekend really well,” said Smedley. “I generally paddle well on big water so it was good for my style.”
Smedley has his sights set on 2016 and is looking to build on his international results from last year.
“I want to make a few more finals after making my first final at a World Cup last year. I really want to try to continue that series of events and maybe try to rack up a medal at U23’s. I really think I could be a contender there.”
Smedley paired with Hayward to race the Men’s C2. They were the only C2 crew racing and based on performance standards were also selected in C2 for World Cups and World Championships.
Calgary’s Haley Daniels scored the top rank in Women’s C1 and was named to teams for World Cups, World Championships and Under 23 World Championships.
In the Under 23 class, 2012 Olympian Michael Tayler of Ottawa took the top spot in Men’s K1 and Jazmyne Denhollander of Chilliwack, BC took the top spot in Women’s K1. Under 23 C1 winners were Smedley and Daniels in their respective classes.
Ryley Penner of Lundbreck, AB won the Junior Men’s K1 and Veronica Oczkowski, also of Lundbreck, won the Junior Women’s K1. Liam Smedley of Dunrobin, ON posted the top result in Junior Men’s C1 and Kylie Zirk of Saskatoon won Junior Women’s C1.
Team Selections
Elite Team
World Cup 1 – June 21-23 – Cardiff, Wales
World Cup 2 – June 28-30 – Augsburg, Germany
World Cup 3 – July 5-7 – La Seu d'Urgell, Spain
Men’s K1
David Ford (Edmonton, AB)
Ben Hayward (Edmonton, AB)
John Hastings (Aurora, ON)
Women’s K1
Jessica Groeneveld (Innisfail, AB)
Men’s C1
Cameron Smedley (Dunrobin, ON)
Women’s C1
Haley Daniels (Calgary, AB)
Men’s C2
Ben Hayward (Edmonton, AB) & Cameron Smedley (Dunrobin, ON)
Senior Team
World Cup 5 – August 23-25 – Bratislava, Slovakia
World Championships – September 11-15 – Prague, Czech Republic
Men’s K1
David Ford (Edmonton, AB)
Ben Hayward (Edmonton, AB)
John Hastings (Aurora, ON)
Women’s K1
Jessica Groeneveld (Innisfail, AB)
Thea Froehlich (Ottawa, ON)
Men’s C1
Cameron Smedley (Dunrobin, ON)
Women’s C1
Haley Daniels (Calgary, AB)
Alexandra McGee (Ottawa, ON)
Men’s C2
Ben Hayward (Edmonton, AB) & Cameron Smedley (Dunrobin, ON)
Under 23 Team
Junior and U23 World Championships – July 17-21 – Liptovsky Mikulas, Slovakia
Men’s K1
Michael Tayler (Ottawa, ON)
Adrian Cole (Calgary, AB)
Zachary Zwanenburg (Cornwall, ON)
Women’s K1
Jazmyne Denhollander (Chilliwack, BC)
Thea Froehlich (Ottawa, ON)
Florence Maheu (Valleyfield, QC)
Men’s C1
Cameron Smedley (Dunrobin, ON)
Liam Smedley (Dunrobin, ON)
Spencer Pomeroy (Ottawa, ON)
Women’s C1
Haley Daniels (Calgary, AB)
Alexandra McGee (Ottawa, ON)
Junior Team
Junior and U23 World Championships – July 17-21 – Liptovsky Mikulas, Slovenia
Men’s K1
Ryley Penner (Lundbreck, AB)
Samuel Primeau (Valleyfield, QC)
Maxime Leboeuf (Valleyfield, QC)
Women’s K1
Veronica Oczkowski (Lundbreck, AB)
Kylie Zirk (Saskatoon, SK)
Men’s C1
Liam Smedley (Dunrobin, ON)
Zachary Zwanenburg (Cornwall, ON)
Yannick Laviolette (Valleyfield, QC)
CanoeKayak Canada is the national governing body for competitive paddling in Canada. The organization’s vision is to be a Canadian sport for families, communities and champions. From supporting clubs to developing a competitive National Team, CanoeKayak Canada works to grow a sport which is a rich part of Canada’s heritage.
-30-
For more information:
Ian Miller
Communications and Marketing Officer, CanoeKayak Canada
613.314.1352
imiller@canoekayak.ca
