My family and I attended the last day of the Senior and Under 23s Selection Trials for the 2012 Olympic Canoe & Kayak events, at the Lee Valley White Water Centre on Sunday.
We were delighted that the depressing weather forecast at the beginning of the week, for the three-day weekend, had changed but we had to prepare for the biting, cold wind that had replaced it. It is true that the sun was shining for most of the day but, having had previous experience of the open site, we and most of the crowd, were well wrapped up with layers of warm clothes, headgear and blankets. The water, racing past in glittering style and white in the sunlight, accentuated the chill and the drama of the event
During these three sensational days of racing, forty of the best athletes in Britain focussed only on the challenges of the course, provided thrills and nail- biting action to secure their place in each of the four classes (Women’s K1, Men’s K1, Men’s C1 and Men’s C2) in the GB team for the London Olympics. What a spectacle! The skill of these young paddlers, on the torrent of water that frequently worked against them, changing direction as it crashed and cascaded down the course, was amazing: they moved in and out of the gates, upstream and downstream at great speed and with complete concentration.
The supporters, who came from all over the country: from the north of Scotland to the south of England and seemingly, from everywhere else in between, lined the footpaths with a colourful array of folding chairs and haversacks bulging with the essentials for an enjoyable day’s outing. Late comers provided the backdrop, in places, four deep, and the grassed areas, between the course and the seated spectators, accommodated the volunteer judges, the life guards and the press photographers.
Despite the Arctic weather, the bonuses for this event for me were that everyone had a good view of the action, a chance to see the participating paddlers walking alongside each day’s new course, viewing the flow and force of the white water and the opportunity for my son, Ben, to participate in a 30 minute session of kayaking on the lake: an adventure that he thoroughly enjoyed.
Most importantly, though, was the experience of the Lee Valley Park’s usual superb hospitality.
GB Olympic Nominations
Men’s K1 Richard Hounslow
Women’s K1 Lizzie Neave
Men’s C1 David Florence
Men’s C2 David Florence & Richard Hounslow
Men’s C2 Tim Baillie & Etienne Stott
GB Senior Team
Men’s K1
Richard Hounslow, Campbell Walsh, Tom Brady
Women’s K1
Lizzie Neave, Louise Donington, Fiona Pennie
Men’s C1
David Florence, Mark Proctor, Dan Goddard
Men’s C2
David Florence & Richard Hounslow, Tim Baillie & Etienne Stott, Adam Burgess & Greg Pitt
Women’s C1
Mallory Franklin, Kimberley Woods, Alice Spencer
GB Under 23
Men’s K1
Tom Brady, Joe Clarke, Joe Morley
Women’s K1
Natalie Wilson, Bethan Latham, Kimberley Woods,
Men’s C1
Adam Burgess, Tom Quinn, Greg Pitt
Men’s C2
Greg Pitt & Adam Burgess, Tom Quinn & George Tatchell, Rhys Davies & Matt Lister
Women’s C1
Mallory Franklin, Kimberley Woods, Alice Spencer
All results are subject to ratification by the BCU International Panel.
The Olympic canoe slalom nominations will then be sent to the British Olympic Association for approval and subsequent selection into Team GB for London 2012
Howard Green M.D
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