It was a jam-packed day 2 for the young Kiwi team at the 2023 ICF Junior and Under 23 Canoe Sprint worlds, but they came away with some strong results, qualifying for 3 A finals, 2 B finals and a C final in Auronzo, Italy.
17 year old Natasha MacGibbon (Arawa Canoe club) had a day to remember, successfully navigating heats and semis to advance to the A final in both her junior events; the K1 1000m and the K2 500m alongside teammate Greer Morley (North Shore Canoe Club). Both these finals will be raced Saturday night NZT, with the K2 Junior Women’s 500 A final at 7.33pm NZT and K1 Junior Women 1000 A final at 8.41pm.
The U23 Women’s K2 crew Julia Padrutt and Lucy Matahaere (Waitara Kayak Club) also qualified for the A final, after finishing 3rd in their heat and 2nd in their semi final race. The A final will be raced on Saturday at 9.24pm NZT.
In the U23 K1 1000m both Grant Clancy (North Shore Canoe Club) and Emma Kemp (Mana Kayak Club) progressed through their heats into the semi finals, where they each finished 4th. Emma Kemp will race her B final in the first race of the day on Saturday at 6.30pm NZT, followed by Grant Clancy’s B final at 10.28pm NZT.
In the U23 Men’s K2 semi final Fletcher Moles (Waitara Kayak Club) and Thomas MacGibbon (Arawa Canoe Club) finished in 8th place.
Tiago Chamberlain (Arawa Canoe Club) and Logan Ferguson (Karapiro Kayak Racing Club), who also raced yesterday, were 8th in their semifinal and progressed into the Junior Men K2 500m C final.
Mixed K2 pair Julia Padrutt (Waitara Kayak Club) and Kacey Ngataki (North Shore Canoe Club) wrapped up the day with a 5th in their 500m heat to advance into the semi finals.
“We knew with today’s schedule that it was going to be a busy day.” said Steve Vaughan, Team Manager.
“So proud of the whole team. Everyone is taking ownership, playing their part, being accountable for their actions. It was a great, great day!!”
Three more days of racing in store in Italy, see tonight’s race schedule below.
Kiwi Race Schedule Day 3:
7.00pm NZT- K4 U23 Mens 500m – B Final
Daniel BROWN, Grant CLANCY, Fletcher MOLES, Kacey NGATAKI
1.11am NZT – K1 U23 Women 500m – Heat 4
Lucy MATEHAERE
1.36am NZT – K1 U23 Men 500m – Heat 2
Thomas MACGIBBON
2.21am NZT – K1 Junior Women 500m – Heat 3
Greer MORLEY
3.31am NZT – K2 U23 Mixed 500m – Semi-final 1
Julia PADRUTT, Kacey NGATAKI
Helpful Info for ICF Junior & U23 Canoe Sprint World Championships
Wednesday 5th- Sunday 9th July. Auronzo, Italy
Event website: https://www.auronzo2023.com
Watch Live via Recast: https://watch.recast.tv/user/8XBy2?referrer=8XBy2
Race schedule: https://www.canoeicf.com/canoe-sprint-world-championships/auronzo-2023/team-info
Results: https://memosoft.spotfokus.com/timetable/index.php?page=eventdetail&folder=89&gmt=12&gmt2=-720
