A world-class field of kayakers put on a display of athletic power and grace, competing in the Andrew Westlake Memorial at the Minden Wild Water Preserve on Saturday, July 21.
It included representatives from several national kayaking teams such as Canada, U.S., Slovakia, Czech Republic, Italy and France.
The field boasted U23 World Champion Jiri Prakavec of the Czech Republic and the world’s fourth ranking Ondrej Tunka, also of Czech Republic. Tunka won the K1 senior men’s race, beating Prakavec with team Canada’s John Hastings coming in fourth.
Team Canada’s best finish came from C1 senior Cam Smedley, who took the top spot, beating World Championship finalist Patrick Gajarsky of Slovakia.
The field also included team Canada’s Jasmyne DenHollander who finished second in the junior K1 race. This result falls on the heels of an eighth place finish at the World Championship.
Ontario’s Jeremy Tian finished second in K1, Team Canada’s senior Alexandra McGee finished second in C1, C1 Junior Liam Smedley finished second; Spencer Pomeroy of Ontario finished third; Maxime Lebouef of Quebec finished third in the K1 juniors; team; Canada’s Thea Froehlich was fourth in the K1 senior.