2012 GB Slalom Canoeists Confirmed

Team GB’s best paddlers came to a head at the Lee Valley White Water Centre in a series of head-to-head races to decide who would compete in the 2012 Olympics

Lee Valley White Water Course Over the weekend, the On The Water team joined 5,000 spectators to line the banks of the Lee Valley course to watch the formation of the GB Olympic slalom canoe team and witness the pulsating racing. Olympic selection is decided by three races over three days – two wins and you have an Olympic place.

Emotions were high as the athletes look to reach their dreams of competing at the Olympics and selection was decided by mere seconds.

Having set a lead time of 95.76 seconds, Richard Hounslow (34) stands on the banks of the course watching his rival and Olympic silver medallist Richard Hounslow watches as Campbell Walsh threatens his Olympic place Campbell Walsh (38) fly down the course. The atmosphere is tense as both the commentator and crowd sense a challenge to Hounslow’s lead and Olympic dreams. Campbell gives it his all and powers over the finish line as Hounslow waits for what seems like an eternity for the result, but in reality is only a few seconds. The silence is broken, ‘Campbell Walsh, 95.85 seconds and into second place’. Hounslow is congratulated by family, friends and fans whilst Walsh comes to terms with the result before giving his post-race interview.

The brutal battle for Olympic selection is repeated across the other disciplines over the weekend; Women’s K1 (one-person kayak), Men’s K2 (two-person kayak), and Men’s C2 (two-person canoe).

Lizzie Neave secured her place in the women's K1 after beating Fiona Pennie in two races. In the men’s C2, Dave Florence meets fans and signs autographs for fans David Florence a strong contender for an Olympic medal won his discipline. The Hounslow-Florence duo also triumphed in the two-man C2 boat. Normally each nation is limited to one entry per category, but with Hounslow and Florence having already qualified in their individual events a ‘bonus’ place was awarded under the qualifying rules. Etienne Stott and Tim Baillie join Florence and Hounslow in the men's C2, increasing Team GB's presence in this class at the Olympics.