Vaires-sur-Marne, Paris, August 7, 2024 – The first day of the canoe sprint events at the Paris Olympic Games saw New Zealand’s largest-ever canoe sprint team make an impressive debut at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium.
All ten athletes hit the water for team boat racing, which included both a men’s and women’s K4 team for the first time in Aotearoa’s rich Olympic kayaking history.
The Women’s K4 boat, consisting of Dame Lisa Carrington, Alicia Hoskin, Tara Vaughan, and Olivia Brett, delivered a stellar performance, finishing first in their heat and securing a direct entry into the K4 500m final later this week. Commentators praised their effort, noting, “The kiwis setting their intent!”
Avoiding additional races will be key for 5-time gold medalist Carrington, who has a busy schedule over the next few days competing in K4, K2 and K1 events.
The Men’s K4 crew of Max Brown, Grant Clancy, Kurtis Imrie, and Hamish Legarth finished second in a hectic photo-finish quarterfinal, thanks to an impressive second half push down to the line which earned them a place in Thursday’s semifinal. It has been 32 years since New Zealand last fielded a men’s K4 boat at an OIympic Games.
Lisa Carrington and Alicia Hoskin excelled in the Women’s K2 500m event, winning Heat 2 ahead of the Belgian boat and advancing directly to the semifinals. Unfortunately, Aimee Fisher and Lucy Matehaere missed out on a spot in the semi-finals, ending their regatta hopes. Aimee Fisher will return for the Women’s K1 heats tomorrow.
The Men’s K2 duo, Kurtis Imrie and Hamish Legarth, started strong in their 500m quarterfinal race, battling it out with Lithuania to secure fourth and progress through to the semifinals. Additionally, Max Brown and Grant Clancy made history as the first-ever New Zealand crew to race a C2 at the Olympic Games, finishing fifth in their quarterfinal. They will race in Thursday’s B final.
Looking ahead, Wednesday promises more excitement as Aimee Fisher and Lisa Carrington compete in their respective K1 500m heats. The rest of the team have a day off before K2 and K4 semi finals and finals on Thursday.
High hopes and strong performances mark New Zealand’s canoe sprint team as they continue their quest for Olympic glory in Paris. Stay tuned for more updates as the competition progresses.
