WAIS paddlers eye Olympic and National Team selection at Oceania Championships

Following a successful WA State Championships at the beginning of February, WAIS paddlers now turn their attention to the 2020 Oceania Canoe Sprint Association Championships, which includes the Olympic Continental Qualifier and Paddle Australia Canoe Sprint Grand Prix.

The three day competition at the Sydney International Regatta Centre in Penrith is the final opportunity for Australia to secure Olympic quotas in women’s kayaking, women’s canoeing and men’s canoeing. Doubling as the first of two events for Olympic Team and Under 23 National Team selections the competition will see Australia’s best in action. The Paddle Australia Canoe Sprint Championships in March is the second selection event.

Six WAIS scholarship holders will join more than 150 athletes from 10 countries fighting for Olympic qualification.

Leading the WA contingent in the women’s is Jaime Roberts who is looking to gain selection for her first Olympic Games. Developing athletes Shannon Reynolds and Yale Steinepreis will compete in the women’s K1 200 K1 500, K2 500 and K4 500.

London 2012 Olympian Jesse Phillips continues his return to international competition looking to be selected for his second Olympics and will compete in the MK1 500, and MK2 1000 and MK4 500 with Josh Kippin, who will also contest the MK1 1000. Lachlan Armstrong will line up in the MK1 200, MK1 500, MK1 1000, MK2 1000 and MK4 500.

Kathleen O’Kelly-Kennedy a former Paralympic medallist in Wheelchair Basketball and new WAIS scholarship holder will contest the women’s multiclass K1 200 and 500 metre as she looks to qualify for the Paralympic Games.