Clubbies claim three medals at ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships in Germany

Teneale Hatton - gold medal in the K1 5000m.  Photo: CRNZ

Lisa Carrington - gold medal in the K1 200m. Photo: CRNZ

Teneale Hatton on the podium for her gold medal in the K1 5000m. Photo: CRNZ

Lisa Carrington on the podium for her bronze medal in the K1 500m. Photo: CRNZ

Eight Surf Life Saving Club members put in an impressive effort over five days of competition at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships in Germany, bringing home a total of three medals.

Teneale Hatton (Orewa) won gold in the K1 5000m while Lisa Carrington (Mt Maunganui) won gold in the K1 200m on the final day of racing (last night NZ time).

Teneale was 23 seconds ahead of the Hungarian Renata Csay and third placed Anne Rikala of Finland.  She hit out hard from the start line and found clear water early on. She took advantage of this to steadily increase her lead on the main pack, maintaining this throughout the race.

In the K1 200m, Lisa's time of 39.522 was the fastest of the champs but second placed Marta Walczykiewicz of Poland gave her a run for her money, looking like she might take the win until the last 10 metres of the race.  However Lisa put on a burst of speed in the final few metres to secure the top spot by just 0.19 seconds.

On Day Four of the competition Lisa also scooped bronze in the K1 500m, which was her first crack at a World Championship title in this event. Her time of 1.58.619 meant she was 0.3 seconds off the silver and 1.2 seconds off the gold.

The K2 crew of Teneale Hatton and Rachael Dodwell (Mairangi Bay) made the A Final of the K2 500m and their race was a testament to their hard work over the past eight months. This new crew was thrilled to have made the final and although placing ninth in a time of 1.52.878 (five seconds behind the German winners) they were happy to count themselves within a split second of the Austrian crew and just one second behind the Serbians.

Day Three of racing saw the Men's K4 team- made up of Zac Quickenden (South Brighton), Jasper Bats (Otaki) and Darryl and Jarrod Fitzgerald (Waikanae) taking on the 1000m heats and semis with great class.

A young crew with an average age of 20, their sixth placing pushed them through to the B Final. Having paddled together for less than a year, they were pleased with their result which showed control and maturity beyond their years and experience.

Scott Martlew (South Brighton) raced his final in the K1 200m paracanoe event and unfortunately paid for a small error on the start line, playing catch-up the whole way down the course.

His valiant race showed his grit and determination as he managed to peg back the start lag, but he couldn't quite make up the lost time and came in seventh in 40.757, just 1.8 seconds off the winning time.

The entire pack was extremely close with only 1.9 seconds separating first and last. At just 20 years of age he is still the youngest paddler in the race and this is only his second international regatta.

The ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships, held in Duisburg, Germany from August 28-September 1, attracted around 1,200 athletes from 90 countries.

For more information visit the Canoe Racing New Zealand website.

Participating club members

• Lisa Carrington, Mt Maunganui
• Zac Quickenden, South Brighton
• Teneale Hatton, Orewa
• Darryl Fitzgerald, Waikanae
• Jarrod Fitzgerald, Waikanae
• Jasper Bats, Otaki
• Rachael Dodwell, Mairangi Bay
• Scott Martlew, South Brighton

Media Coverage

• 2 September 2013, 3 News, Rare double Kiwi sucess at world canoeing champs
• 2 September 2013, 3 News, Hatton wins gold in K1 5000m
• 3 September 2013, NZ Herald, Canoeing: Carrington to tackle surf
• 3 September 2013, Stuff.co.nz, Carrington heads for surf in search of medals
• 3 September 2013, TVNZ, Carrington heads for surf in search of medals