Worcester hosted one of the most important events in the canoeing calendar this weekend.
The 2022 British National Open Marathon Racing Individual and Team Championships took place in the city with more than 800 athletes competing.
For many, the event offered a final opportunity to stake their claim for selection for next month’s World Championships in Portugal.
Saturday, August 27, saw individual paddlers take to the water.
James Russell and Sam Rees-Clark came first in the men’s and ladies' senior K1 races respectively.
Russell already has his sights set on next year.
“That’s the plan (defend the title next year).
“I’d like to join some of the great canoeing names so I think you would need to get your name on the trophy more than once to make that claim.”
READ MORE: Crowds line the Severn as national canoeing championships return to Worcester
On Sunday, August 28, it was time for the team events, with canoeists joining up to take on the River Severn course.
Lizzie Broughton and Fay Lamph claimed gold in the senior ladies' K2.
Speaking after the race, Broughton said: “Good race, really good fun and great to be back out racing.
“A lovely day out in Worcester.”
The pair hadn’t teamed since 2018 but this latest result means they have now won the national trophy together nine times.
“How long before we get to keep the trophy?” Lamph added.
Meanwhile, the men’s senior K2 was won by Tom Lusty and Keith Moule.
“It was a good race, with maybe four or five premium crews in it.
“The Johnsons (Daniel and Matthew) were probably down as the favourites but unfortunately those boys had a little bit of trouble on the last portage which made it easier for us on the finish.
“I’ve only won it once before, with Tom Sharpe in 2013, and he had a great race in the mixed today and it’s nice to see some familiar faces again.”
The mixed K2 was won by James Russell and Emma Russell.
Results from across the weekend meant that Wey Kayak Club were crowned overall winners.
Their 101 paddlers earned them 3,569 to put them ahead of second-placed Nottingham, 2,781 points from 71 paddlers, and Norwich, 2,234 from 68, in bronze.
Full results – Saturday August 27
Senior Men K1 - James Russell (Chelmsford)
Senior Ladies K1 - Sam Rees-Clark (Nottingham)
Senior C1 - Beth Gill (Chelmsford)
Under 23 Men K1 - Charlie Smith (Nottingham)
Under 23 Ladies K1 - Anoushka Freeman (Richmond)
Under 18 Men K1 - Harry Freeland (Reading)
Under 18 Ladies K1 - Isla Bethune (Elmbridge)
Under 18 C1 - Owen Chisholm (Richmond)
Under 16 Men K1 - Andre Hinves (Southampton)
Under 16 Ladies K1 - Mollie Ball
Under 14 Men K1 - Olivier Mazur (Reading)
Under 14 Ladies K1 - Hannah Toovey (Glasgow)
Under 12 Men K1 - Lorenzo De Bilio (Royal)
Under 12 Ladies K1 - Ruth Shephard (Reading)
Under 10 Men K1 - Fergus Barnett (Fladbury)
Under 10 Ladies K1 - Adriana De Bilio (Royal)
Para KL2 - Jon White (Exeter)
Para KL3 - Tim Lodge (Wey)
Para VL2 - Shaun Cook (Norwich)
Full results – Sunday August 28
Senior Men K2 - Tom Lusty and Keith Moule
Senior Ladies K2 - Lizzie Broughton and Fay Lamph
Senior Men C2 – Owen Chisolm and Areg Sarkisyan
Senior Ladies C2 – Liz Murnaghan and Vicky Metcalfe
Under 18 Men K2 – Sam Cribbett and Isaac Pipe
Under 18 Ladies K2 – Matilda Enoch and Isla Bethune
Under 16 Men K2 – Toby Bullock and James Ross
Under 16 Ladies K2 – Annabel Hutchinson and Mollie Ball
Under 14 Men K2 – Oliver Mazur and Ethan Hunt
Under 14 Ladies K2 – Hannah Toovey and Zoe Herriot
Under 12 Men K2 – Louis Smith and Lorenzo De Bilo
Under 12 Ladies K2 – Jocelyn Allan and Emma Saunders
Under 10 Men K2 – Gabriel Otugo and Adrian Rys
Under 10 Ladies K2 – Lexi Jones and Florence Enoch
Over 34 Men K2 – Edgar Boehm and Juan Caruncho
Over 34 Ladies K2 – Katherine Wilson and Victoria Knee
Over 44 Men K2 – Matthew Oliver and David Oliver
Over 44 Ladies K2 – Cathy Howell and Lynne Fender
Over 54 Men K2 – Jan Raciborski and Kevin Smith
Over 54 Ladies K2 - Caroline Jones and Alison Chmiel
Over 64 Men K2 – Graham Holmes and Dyson Pendle
Over 64 Ladies K2 - Caroline Dallimore and Stephanie Robinson
Mixed K2 – James Russell and Emma Russell
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