WA White-water Duo Contest Slovakia World Cup
Western Australian white-water paddlers Brodie Crawford and Ben Pope have both contested the first World Cup event of the year in Slovakia.
Crawford competed in the heats of the men’s C1 recording the 35th fastest time overall which was short of the ranking required for semi-final progression.
Pope tackled the K1 discipline, and finished with the 44thquickest time which was also outside of progression.
At 22 and 24 years of age respectively, Crawford and Pope are considered two of the country’s most exciting young talents and both men will return to world cup action with Crawford contesting this weekend’s second event in Poland whilst Pope will feature at World Cup 3 in Germany.
Western Australia boasts a proud tradition in the sport, particularly in canoe events, with Robin Bell a silver medallist at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, whilst Kynan Maley and Robin Jeffery have also represented Australia at Olympic level in the years since.
C1 slalom refers to canoe events, where competitors use a single oar and are positioned in the craft in a kneeling position. K1 in contrast relates to kayak, where paddlers are seated and use a double bladed oar to propel themselves down the white-water course.
At the Tokyo Olympic Games there will be four medal events on offer, with men’s and women’s C1 and K1 competitions.
Australia’s campaign at the Slovakia World Cup was headlined by Olympian Jessica Fox, who claimed gold medals in both the women’s C1 and K1 events.
Photo: c/o Paddle Australia – Jamie Troughton/Dscribe Media Services