Katie Vincent crowned triple World Champion
Dartmouth, NS (August 7, 2022) – Canada captured five medals, including three gold medals, on the final day of the ICF Sprint Canoe and Paracanoe World Championships at Lake Banook in Dartmouth Nova Scotia.
Tokyo Olympic Bronze medallist, Katie Vincent (Mississauga Canoe Club) was crowned world champion three times today in front of a home crowd. While she missed the podium in the C1 200m event, finishing 5th overall, she swiftly bounced back in the C2 mixed 500m event to win gold with partner Connor Fitzpatrick (Senobe Aquatic Club). Thirty minutes later, Katie lined up to win a second gold medal in the C4 500m with under-23 teammates Sophia Jensen (Cascades), Julia Lilley-Osende (Mic Mac Aquatic Club), and Sloan Mackenzie (Cheema Aquatic Club). Remarkably, Katie comes back for one more final race in the gruelling 5000m event to capture her third gold medal of the day.
“It was one of the best experiences I have ever had with so many amazing memories all week and today,” said Vincent. “Coming down the last two hundred meters was so exciting and so amazing to be competing in front of this electric home crowd. It’s fuel to our fire and you just take it all the way to the finish line.”
20-year-old Sophia Jensen captured her first senior world championship medals, taking home the silver in the C2 500m followed by a gold medal in the C4 500m event.
“I just went as hard as I could and knew I would be up there in the mix but didn’t know I was contending for top 2,” said Jensen. “These ladies are so strong and it was so much fun battling with them. I could hear the Canadian crowds and there is no giving up, you don’t want to let them down. I will never forget this moment.”
Hometown paddlers, Craig Spence (Cheema Aquatic Club) and Bret Himmelman (Maskwa Aquatic Club) won the bronze medal in C2 1000m event in front of a home crowd on Lake Banook.
“It’s unreal. I grew up here, paddling since I was five years old so this is like a dream come true,” said Spence. “Friends, families, coaches and everyone who has supported me throughout my career was right here with me so this can’t get any better.”
“This is something we’ve dreamed about since they announced this event four years ago. What an amazing feeling,” said Himmelman.
Team Canada concludes the 2022 World Championship event in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia with a total of 8 medals, three gold, two silver, and three bronze along with multiple top 5 finishes across the canoe, kayak and paracanoe disciplines. Canada ranked 4th overall on the medal standings.