Great Britain’s slalom team claimed three silver medals in the individual events at the 2018 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships in Rio.
With all 12 boats qualifying for the semi finals and six making finals there were high hopes that the British team could add to their tally, after winning four team medals on day one of the Championships
In the men’s C1 European Champion Ryan Westley took the lead in the final in a time of 97.94 seconds, bettering the fastest time of the C1 semi finals set by Benjamin Savsek of Slovakia.
Westley has a long wait at the finish to see if anyone could better his time, but only Germany’s Franz Anton could go faster and finished 0.88 seconds ahead to take gold.
It was Westley’s second World Championship individual medal after winning bronze at Lee Valley in 2015.
“Today feels a lot different to my first world’s medal which was probably a bit out of the blue.” explained Westley.
“It shows to me, and hopefully other people, that I’ve reached a level of consistency and the medal I won in 2015 wasn’t a one off and neither was my Euros medal.”
Competing in her first World Championship K1 final, Britain’s Mallory Franklin was first down the course and delivered a good, clean run.
The only paddler to go faster was Australian Jess Fox who bettered Franklin’s time by 2.28 seconds. Franklin has made significant progress in K1 this season and won two medals in this year’s World Cup circuit.
Britain’s Fiona Pennie, competing in her eighth World Championships K1 final, finished in 10th place.
The following day in the women’s C1 reigning World Champion Mallory Franklin looked to defend her title. Despite a two second penalty Franklin finished with a second silver medal behind Jess Fox.
“It was a good run and that’s all I can ask for,” said Franklin, who finished the championships with a gold, two silvers and a bronze medal across individual and team events.
In the women’s C1 final, 17 year old Bethan Forrow completed her own outstanding week by finishing eighth, after qualifying fastest for the final, to go alongside a team gold medal.
In the men’s K1 It was not to be for Olympic Champion Joe Clarke, returning to Rio where he claimed gold. Qualifying fastest for the final four seconds of penalties pushed Joe pushed down to fifth place and out of the medal positions.
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WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS RESULTS SUMMARY
C1 Women
Mallory Franklin (Windsor & District) – Final 2nd SILVER
Bethan Forrow (Lee Valley Paddle Sports Club) – Final 8th
Kimberley Woods (Rugby) – Semi final 17th
C1 Men
Ryan Westley (Lower Wharfe) – Final 2nd SILVER
Adam Burgess (Stafford & Stone) – Semi final 17th
David Florence (Forth) – Semi final 20th
K1 Women
Mallory Franklin (Windsor & District) – Final 2nd SILVER
Fiona Pennie (C.R Cats) – Final 10th
Kimberley Woods (Rugby) – Semi final 20th
K1 Men
Joe Clarke (Stafford & Stone) – Final 5th
Bradley Forbes-Cryans (C.R Cats) – Semi final 17th
Christopher Bowers (Stafford & Stone) – Semi final 40th
