After two hotly contested days of racing during the Kayak Cross Selection Series at Lee Valley White Water Centre, 22 athletes have today been named across the Senior, U23 and Junior teams for the 2024 season.
Athletes faced off in three rounds of racing on Easter Sunday and Monday, which consisted of a time-trial before going head to head on the challenging course to earn selection points.
This year marks a significant milestone for kayak cross as it prepares for its Olympic debut in Paris 2024, adding an extra layer of excitement to the season.
Leading the senior team are 2023 World Champions Kimberley Woods ( Rugby), Joe Clarke MBE (Stafford & Stone), as well as 2022 overall World Cup winner Mallory Franklin (Windsor & District).
The trio raced in ‘Guest' events over the weekend as they were pre-selected onto the team after being announced to represent TeamGB as the first athletes to race kayak cross at the Olympics, as well as in canoe slalom.
Senior team athletes will have the opportunity to race the early part of the 2024 season, with World Cup 2 in Prague holding added significance as additional Paris 2024 Olympic places are on offer.
Joining Kimberley and Mallory in the women's senior team is two-time U23 World Champion Nikita Setchell (Holme Pierrepont), who secured maximum points and topped the selection table at the weekend.
Phoebe Spicer (Lee Valley) completes the team after showcasing impressive performances throughout the selection series, including a race win in round three, and a second place in round one.
Topping the selection table, Jonny Dickson (CR Cats) will join Joe Clarke in the men's senior team, and will look to build on his U23 World Championship bronze medal in 2023.
Ben Haylett (Holme Pierrepont) was joint on selection points with Jonny with a tie-breaker separating the pair.
Alongside them, Jake Brown (Tees Tigers) will complete the quarter across the early international season.
Jonny and Ben's efforts will also provide them the chance to race the men’s U23 circuit during 2024. They will be joined by U23 World Champion Sam Leaver (Edinburgh Schools) who made all three finals during the selection weekend.
Additionally, Thomas Mayer (Stafford & Stone) makes up the four athletes as he races for the U23s for the first time.
Lois Leaver (Edinburgh Schools) and Ellis Miller (Lee Valley) will both compete in the women's U23 events, marking an exciting season ahead for the pair, after reaching the canoe slalom senior team for the first time in 2024.
Macy Kang (Holme Pierrepont) and Katie Shattock (Taunton) will both race at U23 level for the first time.
Arina Kontchakov (Lee Valley), who secured a kayak cross bronze at the 2022 Junior European Championships, leads the women’s junior team after scoring maximum points in the selection process.
Darcey McMullins (Lee Valley), Sofia Alfer (Wyedean) and Sadie Sterry (Llandysul) will join Arina on the start-lists as they're all set to make their international debuts during 2024.
Two race wins and maximum points sees Jonah Hanrahan (Independent) on the junior men's international team for a second consecutive season, after impressive racing across Easter.
Gwion Williams (Llandysul), Oscar Wyllie (Breadalbane) and Scott Richie (Pinkston) all heavily featured in the latter stages of the selection rounds, scoring enough selection points to complete the 22-strong kayak cross team racing throughout 2024.
- Kayak Cross Selection Results April 2024139.15 KBApril 3, 2024This document contains the Kayak Cross Selection Results published 03 April 2024.
- Paddle UK Canoe Slalom and Kayak Cross International Panel Statement April 2024164.29 KBApril 3, 2024This is the Paddle UK Canoe Slalom and Kayak Cross International Panel Statement published 03/04/2024.