Freestyle World Cups round up......

Posted By: Peak UK Published: 16/07/2018

world cup sort

After an exciting Natural Games, the GB paddlers drove across the Pyrenees from Millau to the picturesque town of Sort, where both events of the World Cup were being held in preparation for the World Championships in 2019. The competition kicked off the next day with World Cup 1.

world cup sort

The first day of heats was the juniors and senior women. The feature was at a higher, flushier level proving a challenge for all competitions. Despite this, the Brits got off to a great start with Harry Price and Ottie Robinson-Shaw progressing to junior finals and in the women’s Lowri Davis progressing to the semis in a solid 6th place.

The next day saw lower levels for the men’s heats, but still the feature proved difficult. Although a powerful feature with potential for big air, it was very flushy. Nevertheless, Brits Gav Barker, Rob Crowe and Alan Ward all laid down strong rides and progressed to the semi finals later that day. After a competitive semifinals, the British men finished Gav 6th, Alan 7th, Rob 8th, narrowly missing out on the finals.

world cup sort

Finals day and in the men’s squirt competition British paddlers Mike Shaw finished up 4th (in his float boat) and Alex Edwards in gold position. In the junior categories Ottie Robinson-Shaw took the gold and Harry Price the bronze with some very impressive rides. In the senior ladies GB’s Lowri Davies secured a 4th place, only just missing out on a medal.

World Cup 2

world cup sort

The events ran back to back so we were straight into the second event of the World Cup. By now paddlers had had more time to practice and were familiar with the feature. This event saw more entrants and the men were up first, this time cutting to quarter finals of the top 20. British paddlers Charlie Blackpool, Gav Barker and Alan Ward all made it thought the first cut. There was some big air in the men’s category and scores much higher second time round making it a much tighter competition.

The next day was the women’s heats and Islay Crosbie making the semi-finals in 7th position and then progressing to finals in 4th later that day . Also making through to the finals were  juniors Ottie and Harry and squirt boaters Mike and Alex.

world cup sort

The Squirt finals kicked off Saturday morning with GB’s Mike Shaw coming in 4th and Alex Edwards taking his second gold Gold. Next up, the junior finals with Ottie taking the Gold and the overall World Cup title. Harry secured another bronze medal against tough competition from France’s World Champion Tom Dolle in gold and Argentinian Valentin Betancourt in silver.

World Cup sort

The senior’s finals on Saturday night promised to put on a show. Running under multicoloured flood lights, a large local audience, and streamed live to a Spanish sports channel. GB’s Islay Crosbie was the only Brit to experience this, and she took it on well, making 4th place. A great atmosphere to finish of the world cups and leaving all competitors excited to be back for what is set to be a great 2019 World Championships.

World Cup sort

Words: Islay Crosbie

Photos: Gav Barker