GB’s top canoe slalom athletes given facilities boost

GB’s top kayak cross athletes Joe Clarke MBE, Mallory Franklin and Kimberley Woods, who all won medals in the sport last year, were the first to use the ramp which is the first of its kind to be installed on a permanent basis.

It further improves the site, operated by the charitable enterprise Better, which is widely regarded by slalom athletes as one of the best in the world, and will play host to the ICF World Championships in September.

The ramp was jointly funded by the owners of the venue, Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, alongside British Canoeing, UK Sport and Sport England.

Kayak cross, formerly known as extreme slalom, will make its Olympic debut in Paris next year, with the high-octane event seeing four paddlers start from an elevated ramp into the white water rapids to race simultaneously around poles, testing the athletes power, strength and tactical acumen.

Since its introduction to the programme, Britain have made a big impact on the international stage, winning World Championship medals at senior, U23 and junior level.

Clarke, 2016 Olympic gold medalist and two-time Kayak Cross world champion, will be looking to make it a hat-trick at the home world championships in September.

He said: “It was quite a big thing to launch off this ramp for the first time and to be up there as one of the first boats off was pretty special.

“It’s a fantastic thing to have at our training venue, we’ve got the gate system and have been training hard on them and have been making good progress.

“The start in kayak cross is so important, and now we can train that start, we have the whole package and can keep pushing on and challenging for medals.

“The home world championships are going to be amazing, the crowd will be electric and it would be fantastic to do the triple in front of a home crowd.”

Mark Ratcliffe, Performance Director for Canoe Slalom and Kayak Cross, believes the new ramp will have a positive impact on the team as they work towards the championships in September and 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

“It’s amazing to have the ramp here,” he said.

“It was quite a process to get it here but now it is installed and seeing it at the top of the course in front of the spectators, it will be really iconic and a motivator for anyone wanting to take up the sport.

“I’m really thankful for all the work which has been going on behind the scenes to get it in place and to have it here for training is just spot on.

“The start is so important in the event, to get ahead at the start has a real impact on the race to have the ability to practice that start and the skills involved will help them for all events and especially the World Championships here.

“There is subtlety in the flow off the start so the more we can learn that the better. It’s all about repetition and practice.

“We’ve worked closely with Lee Valley Regional Park Authority. It’s been a big project not just ahead of Paris next year but their support to get the ramp in will be invaluable for the future of the sport.

“UK Sport have put a big investment in also for our preparations for Paris.”

Jon Lea, General Manager at Lee Valley White Water Centre, said: “The introduction of the Kayak Cross ramp as a permanent feature at Lee Valley White Water Centre is a transformative milestone.

“It will empower the athletes who train at our exceptional facility, enabling them to enhance their skills and undergo a distinctive training journey unlike any other destination worldwide. It should also give them the edge ahead of the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships that we are hosting in September. It will also help develop the continued popularity of the sport.”

Chief Executive at Lee Valley Regional Park Authority, Shaun Dawson, said: “We are thrilled to have been able to help fund a new Kayak Cross Ramp at our Lee Valley White Water Centre. This exciting addition propels the venue to the forefront of this hugely popular and growing sport and provides athletes with the opportunity to train and compete in the discipline ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

“The investment reinforces our dedication to ensuring our venues remain as some of the best in the world and we’re excited to welcome athletes from far and wide to come and experience this new facility.”

Great Britain won historic gold and silver medals at the Lee Valley White Water Centre during the London 2012 Olympic Games and the venue has continued to create a legacy in the sport, on a performance and recreational level.

The new ramp will be used for the ICF Canoe Slalom and Kayak Cross World Championships which will be held from September 19-24.

Tickets are now on sale for the event, and with prices starting from as little as £1 for children, this action packed event has something for all the family to enjoy.