RACICE, CZECH REPUBLIC (September 15, 2017) – The conditions were ideal today in Racice, Czech Republic, for the Canadian junior team athletes participating in the first day of the International Olympic Hopes Regatta. Races will be held from September 15 to 17, and Canada had a strong start today by placing 17 crews in the finals of the single and tandem events.

“Women’s canoe continue to be the strength of the Canadien Team, although the rest of the world is breaking through and challenging our dominance,” said Graham Barton, chief technical officer of the Canadian team. “A regatta like this one is an opportunity for athletes to learn from international racing and to take that back as they prepare for the next few years,” he added.

The Canadian team had excellent performances today in Racice, but Julia Lilley Osende (Mic Mac, Nova Scotia) scored the best performance of the day by winning a silver medal in the C1 1000m Female (2001) event. Jessica Mackay (Maskwa, Nova Scotia) was not too far behind as she placed 4th in the same race. Sloan McKenzie (Cheema, Nova Scotia) came third  in the Women’s C1 1000m (2002) event.

Photo: Stephane Richard

Throughout the day, the athletes progressed quietly through the morning heats by taking the time to adjust to the international competition. At the end of the day, the athletes managed to cross the semi-finals by qualifying almost all crews in the finals.

To see all the results of Day 1 of this regatta, go to the event website. Competitions will continue tomorrow with the K1, C1, K2, C2, K4 and C4 event over the distance of 500 meters. You can find the schedule of Day 2 here.

About Canoe Kayak Canada

Canoe Kayak Canada is the national governing body for competitive paddling in Canada, one of Canada’s top performing summer sports with a total of 24 Olympic medals, and a leader in the Paralympic movement. Canoe Kayak Canada is a member-based organization that includes an intricate network of clubs as well as provincial, territorial and divisional paddling associations. Elite National Team athletes proudly represent Canada at various competitions around the globe – most notably the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Pan American Games, ICF World Cups as well as Junior, Under 23 and Senior World Championships. Follow Canoe Kayak Canada on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

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For more information :
Joannie Verret
Communications Coordinator
jverret@canoekayak.ca
(418) 271-3785