Britain's top slalom athletes showcased their talents at a glorious Lee Valley White Water Centre on the opening day of the Junior & U23 slalom selection series.
With the 2024 senior team already selected in October, attention was on the rising stars of slalom. Saturday hosted the first two rounds of the selection process, with rounds three to six scheduled at Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham,13-14 April.
The remainder of the Easter weekend will see senior, U23 and junior paddlers vying for the final designated kayak cross places, with three rounds of the new, head to head Olympic discipline on course throughout Sunday and Monday.
As well as the juniors and U23s, there were a number of seniors and international paddlers on course, which included the four selected Paris 2024 Olympians in Joe Clarke MBE, Kimberley Woods, Mallory Franklin and Adam Burgess.
The women's kayak was first to the course, with Ellis Miller (Lee Valley) putting down an early marker to secure maximum points in her bid for U23 selection.
With Lois Leaver (Edinburgh Schools) pre-selected for the U23s after achieving senior selection for 2024, it was Ellis who was the top eligible U23 paddler on both occasions, posting a best time of 110.23.
She said: “It's been a great first day. My priority has been my kayak and making sure that went well. Two wins is a great start in the U23 category.
“I'm excited to race in Nottingham in two weeks to continue this series, but focus now turns to kayak cross tomorrow.”
Macy Kang (Holme Pierrepont) and Zoe Blythe-Shields (Lee Valley) achieved a second place each in the U23 selection with only two spots available, whilst Zoe was the standout junior on both occasions to gain maximum points in the standings.
Already selected for Paris 2024, Tokyo Olympian Kimberley Woods (Rugby) was the quickest of the day with a penalty free 102.27.
In the men's canoe, two assured performances from Kurts Adams Rozentals (Stafford & Stone) saw the U23 athlete take maximum selection points from the opening day.
It was a strong start to the series for Kurts, with two places available in the event after James Kettle's pre-selection.
Kurts said: “Selection is always stressful. I knew what I had to do today and got my two race wins. I'm very happy.
“Looking forward to the challenge of Nottingham in two weeks, straight up to Holme Pierrepont on Monday to train.”
Great runs from Luc Royle (Stafford & Stone) put him in strong contention for a spot with two second places in the U23 standings.
In the juniors, there was a victory each for Talu Aysan (Lee Valley) and William Kettle (Lee Valley).
Going to his second Olympic Games this summer, Paris 2024 Olympian Adam Burgess (Stafford & Stone) was on course for additional race practice, and won the first race, whilst 2023 European Games Champion Ryan Westley was top of the standings in the second race.
A commanding day from Ben Haylett (Holme Pierrepont) secured the U23 athlete maximum selection points in the men's kayak.
Finishing only behind an incredible run set by 2023 World Champion Joe Clarke in race one, Ben went one better in race two, topping the standings in 93.99.
“It's a really good way to start the series,” Ben said. “Great to get back on the start-line and put down those runs against some impressive paddlers out there.
“It puts me in a good place ahead of Nottingham. Going back to where I grew up, feels like I'm going home.”
With Jonny Dickson (CR Cats) pre-selected for the U23s, Sam Leaver (Edinburgh Schools) and Tom Mayer (Stafford & Stone) both got a second place each ahead of racing in Nottingham.
Jonah Hanrahan (Independent) equalled Ben’s feat in the juniors, taking two race wins as he bids for his second season on the junior international team.
Sisters Joanna Blythe-Shields (Lee Valley) and Zoe Blythe-Shields took a win a piece in the U23 women's canoe selection, with junior athlete Zoe also winning both races in the junior selection process.
Arina Kontchakov (Lee Valley) also banked good selection points in both the junior and U23 selections as she looks to reach her third consecutive international season.
Making the full senior team for the first time ahead of 2024, Ellis Miller is also pre-selected in the U23 women's canoe, but opting to race, she showed great form on the London 2012 Olympic course to win both races.
Attention turns to two days of kayak cross on Sunday and Monday, whilst the junior and U23 slalom selection resumes in two weeks time with two days of racing at Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham on 13/14 April.
For a full list of results from day one of the selection series, click here