Day 1 World Champs Wrap: Kiwi’s Secure Semi Final Spots

New Zealand’s team goal to qualify the full 6 men and 6 women athletes for the Paris 2024 Olympics is within reach. To achieve this the team are focussed on qualifying a men’s and women’s K4 boat. Having both K4 boats at the same Olympic event would be a first for New Zealand, and 30 years since a men’s K4 boat raced at the Olympics.

The World Championships is the one chance to book a spot at Paris in the K4 boat class. The K1, K2 and Paracanoe classes have further opportunities next year. A top 8 finish, or placing ahead of Australia would secure a K4 quota spot.

The New Zealand Women’s K4 boat of Lisa Carrington, Alicia Hoskin, Olivia Brett and Tara Vaughan took out second place in their competitive heat. Putting them into the semi final to be raced Friday evening 9.30pm NZT.

In the New Zealand Men’s K4, Max Brown, Zach Ferkins, Kurtis Imrie and Hamish Legarth proved they are up to the task of securing a quota claiming fourth in their fast heat. The semi final race will be Friday evening 9.48pm NZT

In the K1 men’s classes Ashton Reiser will be pleased with a third and fourth place in his respective 500m and 200m heats. He will race in the K1 Men’s 200m semi finals at 12.10am NZT Friday.

While Quaid Thompson comfortably booked a spot in today’s K1 Men’s 1000m semi final (3.02am NZT Friday) with a third place heat finish.

Defending World Champion, Dame Lisa Carrington surprised no one at her 9th World Championships with a solid win in her K1 Women’s 500m heat. This highly competitive Olympic boat class will serve up more action in the semi finals starting 12.38am NZT Friday.

Paracanoe paddlers Scott Martlew and Corbin Hart both raced on day one.

Scott Martlew, a three-times Paracanoe World Championships medalist advanced to the KL2 Men’s 200m semi final (8.37pm NZT Friday) after crossing the line in second place in his heat.

Teammate Corbin Hart, claimed a spot in the KL3 Men’s 200m semi-finals (8.47pm NZT Friday) with his third place finish in a close heat race.

Day 2 World Champs Action

Alongside semi finals action, today’s race to watch will be the exciting debut of sprint newcomer Danielle McKenzie with Aimee Fisher in the K2 Women’s 500m heats (8.43pm NZT Thursday). McKenzie has been training with the team since April, and in the K2 boat with Fisher for only a matter of weeks.

With the Olympic quota system meaning athletes can only secure one spot across multiple boat classes, the strategic decision was made to spread out New Zealand’s women’s talent and trial the combination of these extremely experienced paddlers. 

McKenzie is the former 2019 World Ocean Ski Champion and Aimee Fisher the 2021 K1 500m World Champion.

Paracanoeist Peter Cowan will also be hitting the water for his first race in the VL3 200m. 

Continue watching Day 2 of the World Championships tonight from 7pm NZT live on Recast.

Day 2 New Zealand Race Schedule – 24th August

7.15pm NZT- K1 Women 200m – Heat 4 – Lane 8
Lisa Carrington

8.43pm NZT- K2 Women 500m – Heat 1 – Lane 4
Aimee Fisher, Danielle McKenzie

9.35pm NZT- VL3 Men 200m – Heat 1 – Lane 4
Peter Cowan

9.40pm NZT- VL3 Men 200m – Heat 2 – Lane 8
Scott Martlew

12.10am NZT – K1 Men 200m – Semi Final 3 – Lane 8
Ashton Reiser

12.38am NZT – K1 Women 500m – Semi Final A 1 – Lane 4
Lisa Carrington

3.02am NZT – K1 Men 1000m – Semi Final A 2 – Lane 3
Quaid Thompson

Find out everything you need to know to keep up with the action here.