OTTAWA, ON (May 24, 2016) – Canoe Kayak Canada is pleased to name its senior elite team to represent Canada at the 2016 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cups in Europe. The announcement follows a weekend of National Team Trials at the Rutherford Creek Whitewater Park near Pemberton, BC. Athletes made a total of four runs to accumulate ranking points in pursuit of a top-3 overall position and also had to achieve a performance standard based on relative time to other athletes.

For Olympic Team selections, the field has been narrowed down to a final five in the two events in which Canada holds athlete quota spots. Michael Tayler (Ottawa, ON), John Hastings (Aurora, ON) and Ben Hayward (Edmonton, AB) are still in contention for the Men’s K1 Olympic spot. In Men’s C1, Cameron Smedley (Dunrobin, ON) and Spencer Pomeroy (Ottawa, ON) are the final two. The athletes will continue to accumulate points based on their performances at World Cups 2 and 3 in La Seu d’Urgell, Spain from June 10 – 12 and Pau, France from June 17 – 19. The Olympic Team will be decided at the end of World Cup 3.

In Women’s event, Jessica Groeneveld (Innisfail, AB) will represent Canada in Women’s K1 at World Cups, while Haley Daniels (Calgary, AB) will represent Canada in Women’s C1. Canoe Slalom Team Trials will take place for Junior and Under 23 athletes this May 27 – 29 in Kananaskis, AB. Results will determine teams for the ICF Canoe Slalom Junior and U23 World Championships taking place in Krakow, Poland from July 13 – 17, and World Cups 4 and 5 taking place after the Olympic Games.

Canoe Slalom Senior National Team

Men’s K1

1. Michael Tayler (Ottawa, ON)
2. John Hastings (Aurora, ON)
3. Ben Hayward (Edmonton, AB)

Women’s K1

1. Jessica Groeneveld (Innisfail, AB)

Men’s C1

1. Cameron Smedley (Dunrobin, ON)
2. Spencer Pomeroy (Ottawa, ON)

Women’s C1

1. Haley Daniels (Calgary, AB)

About Canoe Kayak Canada

Canoe Kayak Canada is the national governing body for competitive paddling in Canada. Paddling has been one of Canada’s top performing summer sports having won an impressive count of 24 Olympic medals. Canoe Kayak Canada is a member-based organization which 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:

Ian Miller
Communications and Marketing Officer, Canoe Kayak Canada
613.314.1352
imiller@canoekayak.ca