WA has strengthened its reputation as custodians of 200m paddling in Australia, after WAIS paddlers dominated the distance at GP 1 in Adelaide on Sunday.
WAIS athlete Alana Nicholls claimed the women’s K1 and K2 200m titles, with the 28 year old winning the individual event in an impressive time of 41.97, (0.76 seconds) ahead of fellow Western Australian Institute of Sport paddler Jaime Roberts.
Nicholls completed a sprint double, after combining with Roberts to win the K2 event in 38.75, 1.86 seconds ahead of Alyce Burnett and fellow Queensland paddler Alyssa Bull in second.
There was similar dominance in the men’s racing, with Stephen Bird mirroring his training partner’s feats, claiming the men’s K1 and K2 200m titles, with the latter achieved with fellow WAIS athlete Brodie Holmes in tandem.
Bird took the individual title in 35.92, with Holmes collecting silver, half a second behind. It came as no surprise when the fastest across K1, combined to take line honours in the K2, with Bird and Holmes clocking 33.05.
WAIS athlete Todd Brewer combined with NSW’s Lachlan Tame to finish second, with the pair recording a time of 34.04.
Para-canoeist Brock Ingram (LTA) won a hattrick of multi-class events in Adelaide, claiming the 200m, 500m and 1000m titles as he continues his preparations for the 2015 domestic season. With Para-canoe making its debut in Rio as a Paralympic event, Ingram currently ranks as one of Australia’s best athletes, having represented Australia at World Championship level.
