It was a successful World Championship campaign for the NZ Junior and U23 Canoe Sprint team, who wrapped up their event in Portugal on Sunday with four top 10 placings.
In hot European temperatures, the young New Zealand kayakers raced strongly at the pinnacle of the sport for these age groups. Dylan Monk was a stand-out performer, qualifying for two A Finals in the junior men’s K1 500m and with his teammates Brydon Storey, Maxwell Kennedy and Lewis Monk in the Junior men’s K4 500m.
Jaqueline Kennedy was unlucky to miss out on an A final spot due to a fast semifinal but she showed up to the B final with intent and put forward a dominant paddle to earn her top 10 result.
Thomas MacGibbon also stood out as one to watch with a 9th overall in the U23 K1 200m and an 11th overall in the U23 K1 500m event.
All team members represented New Zealand and their clubs, coaches and families with pride and integrity, soaking in the experience of a major international event in a foreign country. Well done to all these athletes and we look forward to seeing the next steps on your kayaking journeys.
New Zealand Team Overall Results
8th – Dylan Monk, Junior Men’s K1 500m
8th – Dylan Monk/Brydon Storey/Maxwell Kennedy/Lewis Monk, Junior Men’s K4 500m
9th – Thomas MacGibbon, U23 Men’s K1 200m
10th – Jacqueline Kennedy, Junior Women’s K1 500m
11th – Thomas MacGibbon, U23 Men’s K1 500m
14th – Natasha MacGibbon, U23 Women’s K1 1000m
14th – Stella Crossan, Jacqueline Kennedy, Junior Women’s K2 500m
15th – Jess Cleghorn/Sam Lees, U23 Mixed Relay 5000m
18th – Maxwell Kennedy, Lewis Monk, Junior Men’s K2 500m
8th in semifinal – Thomas MacGibbon/Sam Lees, U23 Men’s K2 500m
8th in semifinal – Hope Duffett, Junior Women’s K1 200m
9th in semifinal – Julia Padrutt, U23 Women’s K1 200m
9th in semifinal – Julia Padrutt/Jess Cleghorn, U23 Women’s K2 500m
9th in semifinal – Natasha MacGibbon, U23 Women’s K1 500m
9th in semifinal – Mia Padrutt/Stella Crossan/Hope Duffett/Hannah Webb, Junior Women’s K4 500m
8th in heat – Hannah Webb, Junior Women’s K1 1000m
8th in heat– Sam Lees, U23 Men’s K1 1000m
