The newest Olympic sport, Kayak Cross, was the focus of the final day of competition at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup in Prague.
2022 Under 23 World Champion Nikita Setchell (Holme Pierrepont) won bronze in dramatic style to conclude the racing for the British team.
Nikita had a strong start and was in second place but after an issue in the roll zone, got caught up in a battle for the final upstream gate with two competitors.
Having been given fourth place in the initial results, Nikita was then promoted to bronze when the official results were posted and her tears of disappointment became tears of joy.
The 2024 European bronze medallist said:
“Wow, I didn’t see that coming but I'm happy to now be on the podium – I’ve got such mixed emotions.
“That’s all part of the jeopardy of kayak cross and it can change even when you’ve crossed the line, there’s always that chance.
“I'm speechless to be honest. It’s nice to have the consistency to reinforce the European's.
“I'm really happy to come away with that, especially with it being so competitive with the Olympic quotas available.
“I want to keep the energy going next week in Krakow.”
2023 World Champion Kimberley Woods has already bagged her ticket to Paris and she finished in sixth place overall.
“This race was the Olympic qualifier but as I’m already going to the Games it was very much a practice race for me but all the girls are so competitive now and there’s not really an easy round.
“Others competing for Olympic spots had everything riding on today. It was really physical with just ten minutes between the semi-final and then my final run, and you've got to battle against the water, but I'm pleased with my racing.”
Edinburgh Schools' Lois Leaver was also in action, finishing in third place in her quarter-final.
It was heartbreak for the British men’s kayak cross athletes Jonny Dickson, Ben Haylett and Jake Brown. With an additional three Olympic quota places up for grabs, it was always going to be one of the most hotly contested events of the season.
Having won his first round, CR Cats' Jonny Dickson was third in his heat and was eliminated.
Unfortunately for Ben Haylett (Holme Pierrepont) and Jake Brown (Tees Tigers), their respective third places in their repechage meant that they too were knocked out of contention.
The team now heads to Krakow for the third round of the World Cup series.