FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
OTTAWA, ON (April 5, 2022) – Canada’s top slalom paddlers have been named to the CKC Senior World Cup and World Championship teams this season. Seven athletes secured their spot at the Pyrenees Cup selection races in Pau, France and La Seu d’Urgell, Spain.
“I’m excited to welcome our paddlers back to our program this summer to race the world cups and world championships,” said James Cartwright, Senior High Performance Manager. “We have what is going to be the longest international competition season ahead of us this summer ending with the Pan American Games in Santiago in late October. Our team is very motivated to return to another full season of international racing as we move right back into Olympic Qualification for the Paris 2024.”
There are many familiar faces returning to the international circuit including slalom siblings, Alex and Léa Baldoni from Ontario.
“I’m very glad I will have the chance this year again to represent Canada in the international events,” shared Léa Baldoni. “The 2023 season means a lot to me because it’s the first step towards 2024 Olympic qualification.”
Tokyo Olympian, Florence Maheu is also returning to competition in the women’s kayak as well as the new and exciting event, slalom kayak cross. The extreme event is slated to make its’ Olympic debut at 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
“Im really looking forward to competing in two disciplines on the World Cup circuit,” said Maheu. ”I’m starting to feel more comfortable in the new kayak cross discipline and I’m looking forward to seeing how the recent equipment changes I have made in kayak cross are displayed on the international scene ahead of Olympic qualification.”
The U23 and junior World Championship teams will be announced following the 2023 Kananaskis selection event in May. Additionally, any remaining senior quota positions may be filled at that time.
The ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup circuit begins on June 2 in Augsburg, Germany.
You can find the list of events at Canoe Kayak Canada.
2023 CKC Senior Slalom Team
|
World Cups and Senior World Championships |
|
Women’s Kayak
1. Lois Betteridge, ON 2. Léa Baldoni, ON 3. Florence Maheu, QC |
|
Women’s Canoe
1. Lois Betteridge, ON |
|
Women’s Kayak Cross
1. Lois Betteridge, ON 2. Florence Maheu, QC |
| Men’s Kayak
1. Alex Baldoni, ON 2. Trevor Boyd, AB 3. Mael Rivard, ON |
| Men’s Canoe
1. Alex Baldoni, ON 2. Daniel Parry, ON |
| Men’s Kayak Cross
1. Trevor Boyd, AB 2. Alex Baldoni, ON 3. Daniel Parry, ON 4. Mael Rivard, ON |
Visit Canoe Kayak Canada’s website to get more information and make sure to follow @CanoeKayakCAN for social updates.
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About Canoe Kayak Canada
Canoe Kayak Canada (CKC) 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:
Colleen Coderre
Communications Lead
Emmalee Nother
Communications Coordinator