PENRITH, AUSTRALIA – The Canadian team comprised of thirteen athletes and three coaches kicked off the 2014 competitive season earlier than usual with a two week training camp ahead of the U23 and Junior World Championships. The Canadian team was eager to take to the warm water and ideal training conditions in Penrith on the 2000 Olympic whitewater course.
The junior athletes lead the Canadian team at the Canoe Slalom World Championships. Hannah Penner placed 19th in women’s kayak in a field of 33 competitors. Ryley Penner placed 24th in men’s kayak in a field of 51 competitors and stated the following: “This is a fantastic course and I enjoyed the training. I was confident with my training leading up to the competition but I didn’t have my best run in the semi-final. I am inspired to train hard this summer and to close the gap on the senior paddlers at the National Championships.”
CanoeKayak Canada High Performance Manager noted that the Canadian team benefitted from the pre-season training in Australia: “Our athletes’ paddling improved rapidly while training in the warm water here in Penrith. Unfortunately we didn’t meet our performance expectations. The athletes learned valuable lessons here and benefited from the training. I am confident that they will be eager to resume their preparations and to pursue their individual goals for the upcoming competitive season.”
The U23 team will return to Canada to compete at the senior team trials to be held May 17-18 in Pemberton, BC at the Rutherford Whitewater Facility. Junior athletes will go back to their home training bases and prepare for the National Championships to be held on the Madawaska River near Barry’s Bay, Ontario August 28-29.
Summary of Results (Junior and U23 World Championships)
| Athlete | Event | Result |
| Alexandra McGee (Ottawa, ON) | Women’s C1 U23 | 18th in semi-final |
| Thea Froehlich (Ottawa, ON) | Women’s K1 U23 | 24th in semi-final |
| Jazmyne Denhollander (Chilliwack, BC) | Women’s K1 U23 | 25th in semi-final |
| Florence Maheu (Valleyfield, QC) | Women’s K1 U23 | 29th in semi-final |
| Liam Smedley (Dunrobin, ON) | Men’s C1 U23 | 37th in heats |
| Yannick Laviolette (Valleyfield, QC) | Men’s C1 U23 | 39th in heats |
| Michael Tayler (Ottawa, ON) | Men’s C1 U23 | 41st in heats |
| Michael Tayler (Ottawa, ON) | Men’s K1 U23 | 32nd in semi-final |
| Adrian Cole (Calgary, AB) | Men’s K1 U23 | 41st in heats |
| Kylie Zirk (Saskatoon, SK) | Women’s C1 Junior | 14th in semi-final |
| Hannah Penner (Lundbreck, Alberta) | Women’s K1 Junior | 19th in semi-final |
| Kylie Zirk (Saskatoon, SK) | Women’s K1 Junior | 31st in heats |
| Zachary Zwanenburg (Cornwall, ON) | Men’s C1 Junior | 28th in semi-final |
| Ryley Penner (Lundbreck, Alberta) | Men’s K1 Junior | 23rd in semi-final |
| Zachary Zwanenburg (Cornwall, ON) | Men’s K1 Junior | 24th in semi-final |
| Maxime Leboeuf (Valleyfield, QC) | Men’s K1 Junior | 34th in semi-final |
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.
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For more information:
James Cartwright
Slalom High Performance Manager, CanoeKayak Canada
613.715.0727 | 613.260.1818 x 2205
jcartwright@canoekayak.ca