Britain's top Slalom stars kick start Olympic journey at Lee Valley White Water Centre

Britain’s top canoe slalom athletes kicked off a new Olympic cycle as they battled for 2025 international team selection at Lee Valley White Water Centre, with intense competition across the first two rounds. 

The event, held over the weekend, saw Olympic medallists Kimberley Woods, Adam Burgess, and Joe Clarke MBE go head to head in the first test for a spot on next year’s international team.

Burgess, already pre selected for the team, dominated the men’s canoe but had his results excluded from the selection process, allowing Ryan Westley (Lower Wharfe) to secure two victories and top the men’s standings. In the U23 category, Kurts Adams Rozentals (Stafford & Stone) shone with a perfect record.

Woods took a win and a second place to put her in strong contention for the 2025 senior team, whilst 2021 U23 World Champion Beth Forrow (Lee Valley) too enjoyed great success as she returns to racing after having a baby in 2023, winning race two and finishing third in race one.

Ellis Miller (Lee Valley) took second place in her senior selection campaign, whilst she secured strong points in the U23 process.

Looking to compete on the international stage once again, Zoe Blythe-Shields (Lee Valley) enjoyed another successful campaign, topping both junior standings.

It was an impressive day for U23 European Champion Ben Haylett (Holme Pierrepont) as he sealed two race wins in the senior men's kayak.

Jake Brown (Tees Tigers) enjoyed a great day with a second place in his bid for senior selection, whilst Jonah Harahan too took a second place, meaning he tops the U23s alongside Oscar Wyllie (Breadalbane).

Incredibly tight racing saw 2023 World Champion Joe Clarke MBE with a third and fourth before racing moves to Nottingham in two weeks.

Gwion Williams (Llandysul) was the standout junior, winning both races in the junior selection table.

A first and a second put U23 World Champion Lois Leaver (Edinburgh Schools) in strong contention for both senior and U23 women's kayak selection.

Phoebe Spicer (Lee Valley) also banked a race win in her senior selection campaign, whilst Nikita Setchell (Holme Pierrepont) too secured some important points heading into Nottingham in a fortnight.

Arina Kontchakov (Lee Valley) and Zoe Blythe-Shields both took a win each as they look to reach the junior team once again.

With more selection rounds ahead in Nottingham on 12 - 13 April, the battle for the 2025 team is heating up.