FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OTTAWA, ON (May 25, 2023) – Canada’s best under-23 and junior slalom paddlers have been named to the CKC World Championship teams this season. Fourteen athletes secured their spot throughout the selection process competing in international races in France and Spain and at the Kananaskis selection race in Alberta, Canada.

“I’m excited to welcome our paddlers back to our program and to kick off the 2023 season” said James Cartwright, Senior High Performance Manager. It’s inspiring to see the level of paddling in these young athletes, our junior and U23 team is competitive, and I look forward to seeing what they will accomplish in Krakow.”

Rising U23 slalom star Maël Rivard (Ontario) is looking forward to the big season ahead saying, “I am stoked to be returning to Krakow for U23 World Championships this summer. The venue is great for racing and I know it well. Excitement levels will be high with the European Games wrapping up in Krakow just before. This event will be an important competition in my preparation for the Senior World Championships in September.”

Béatrice Olson (Ontario) will represent Canada in her last year of eligibility as a junior this upcoming season. “I am very excited to be part of the team that will be going the 2023 Junior World Championships,” shared Olsen. “I have been to Krakow a few times before and have always enjoyed racing there because of the challenging stoppers on the course. This will be my last year as a junior so my focus will be on delivering my best performance of the season.”

Members of the team will attend several international competitions in Slovenia, Czech Republic and Slovakia alongside the development squad in the lead up to the world championship event. The development athletes will attend the international competitions and return to Canada before the U23 and Junior World Championships. The International Canoe Federation Slalom U23 and Junior World Championships will take place from August 16-20 in Krakow, Poland.

You can find the list of events at Canoe Kayak Canada.

*Qualified for both U23 and Junior teams, competing at Junior World Championships.

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
ccoderre@canoekayak.ca

Emmalee Nother
Communications Coordinator
enother@canoekayak.ca