Australia’s top junior and U23 Canoe Slalom paddlers are currently in Italy preparing for the 2022 ICF Junior and U23 World Championships which will get underway on Tuesday 5 July.
The 10-strong team have been training in Ivrea, Italy for the past week, and are enjoying being back on whitewater after challenges accessing the stadium at home due to the impacts of flooding.
Set to compete across the canoe, kayak and new Olympic discipline Extreme Slalom, Australia’s junior and U23 athletes are ready to represent the green and gold with pride.
Sophie Wilson, the only female athlete in the team, will compete in the U23 age group across the canoe, kayak and extreme slalom disciplines.
Having not competed internationally in three years, Wilson is looking forward to the opportunity to be back on the world stage.
“I’m feeling a little bit nervous, but at the same time I’m really excited for the World Championships,” Wilson said.
“We’ve been training in Ivrea for a couple of days now getting ready for the races.
“I’m excited to see where I am at against international athletes and I’m looking forward to having a good time on the water,” she said.
Team mate Lachlan Bassett is also set to line up in the U23 category, testing himself in both the canoe and extreme slalom.
Bassett said it’s always a proud moment getting to represent Australia at an international event.
“Representing Australia at a World Championships is pretty special,” Bassett said.
“It’s a different experience to racing at home in Australia, and it’s always awesome to be racing against high level international paddlers.
“This will be my last U23 World Championships, so that adds a little bit of extra meaning to it,” he said.
18-year-old Mark Crosbee will also compete across the three disciplines, in the U18 age group.
Crosbee said the competition will give him a good opportunity to show what he’s been working on at home over the last three years.
“The World Championships will give me a good opportunity to apply what I’ve learnt over the last three years,” Crosbee said.
“It’s been a bit disappointing not being able to make it to events like this in recent years, but it’s definitely great to be back.
“I’ve set some pretty high goals for myself this week, and I’m looking forward to getting out there,” he said.
The 2022 ICF Junior and U23 Canoe Slalom World Championships will be held in Ivrea, Italy from 5-10 July. CLICK HERE for the full schedule
The 2022 ICF Junior and U23 Canoe Slalom World Championships will be live streamed via Planet Canoe Youtube Channel. CLICK HERE to watch.
AUSTRALIAN U23 TEAM
Joshua Montalto (K1, Extreme)
Lachlan Bassett (C1, Extreme)
Ben Ross (C1, Extreme)
Daniel Shamieh (C1, Extreme)
Sophie Wilson (C1, K1, Extreme)
AUSTRALIAN JUNIOR TEAM
Sebastain Montalto (K1, Extreme)
Mark Crosbee (K1, C1, Extreme)
Hamish Dalziel (K1, Extreme)
George Pankhurst (C1, Extreme)
Dominic Curtin (C1)
