Lee Valley was awarded the 2019 ICF World Cup 1 back in April 2017. Since then, double world champion Mallory Franklin has been excited at the prospect of racing at her favourite venue again.
The London 2012 Olympic venue hasn’t hosted an international competition since the World
Championships in 2015. Now the Windsor athlete can’t wait to experience a senior competition at her favourite course once again.
The 23-year-old said:
“It will be fantastic to paddle the World Cup in front of a home crowd.
“I raced the World Cup at Lee Valley in 2014 and the World Championships here in 2015. Both
atmospheres and the sheer amount of people in attendance made it an incredible venue to compete
in.
“I love paddling at Lee Valley. It is my favourite course and to be able to race a senior race here again
is going to be amazing.”
Mallory, who competes in both C1 and K1, encourages both canoe slalom fans and newcomers to
the sport to get down to the World Cup at Lee Valley and watch all the drama unfold.
Mallory Franklin: the difference the crowd makes
Having secured a gold medal at the Lee Valley World Cup in 2014, Mallory recalls the extra lift a
home crowd gives the athletes.
“It gives the athletes such a boost knowing they have the home fans cheering them on. The number of people that come here, even for our selection series, is fantastic. To have that and know they are cheering for you gives you that extra lift.
“People should definitely come down just to witness all the athletes from a variety of nations, and watching people competing.
“There will be Olympic Champions racing and a variety of different paddling on show. It is such an interesting sport and entertaining sport. It is definitely worth seeing what goes on.”
“British athletes tend to do quite well at Lee Valley. It is a very nice course and we train here so much. You get a lot from training and racing on your home venue.
“I think it will be a fantastic competition for our sport and especially for the wider community.”
With a variety of nations in action, as well as the breadth of events on show, it is certainly a
competition not to be missed.
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