Rosalyn Lawrence (current scholarship holder), Robin Bell (current scholarship holder), Will Forsythe (previous scholarship holder), and Warwick Draper have all done enough to secure early selection to the 2009 senior national team after strong performances at the Penrith Whitewater Stadium today.
Bell’s 2nd place ranking today after a lengthy break out of the canoe, will secure his place on the 2009 national team, however Robin Jeffery provided the suprise performance of the morning finishing best of the Aussies in the Men’s C1 at Selection Race 2. Jeffery produced a 106.67 to finish ahead of fellow West Australian’s Robin Bell and Kynan Maley.
Robin Jeffery and Christian Fabris are now both well placed to take the two remaining spots on the team in tomorrow’s final selection race with Bell having already done enough to secure his place. Kynan Maley and Ian Borrows will need a top 2 finish to be a chance at claiming there place on the team.
Rosalyn Lawrence continued her impressive form backing her dual medal performance at the Australian Open last month to finish best of the Aussies in the ladies K1 class and secure the first ladies K1 spot on the national team for 2009.
Whilst Jana Dukatova and Dana Benusova of Slovakia finished first and 2nd for the day, Ros’s performance gives her 2 wins from 2 in the selection race ensuring her debut on the senior national team. Sister, Kate Lawrence and Sarah Grant were the 2nd and 3rd placed Aussies enhancing their selection chances ahead of tomorrows racing. Lawrence is very well placed in ranking points with Sarah and Jessica Fox both keeping the pressure on for selection and Natasha Jones still an outside chance for the team.
Warwick Draper’s consistency on the course today has secured his place on the team following a fantastic win in the men’s K1 class ahead of Canadian David Ford and Lucien Delfour of France. Will Forsythe was 4th today, however as the 2nd placed Aussie in 102.77, Forsythe has also ensured his spot on the team and now leads the ranking points going into tomorrow’s final selection race.
Sam Lyons helped his cause greatly with a strong performance to finish less than half a second behind Forsythe as the 3rd Aussie for the day. Lyons and Anthony Brown will battle out the final remaining spot in what promises to be a hotly contested final race tomorrow.
There were no suprises in the C2 class with the Skantar brothers of Slovakia taking out the win today. Kynan Maley and Robin Jeffery again performed well finishing as the best Aussie crew in 2nd overall and maintaining a stranglehold on the senior team selection ahead of Chris and Scott Guinea.
Rosalyn Lawrence found continued success in the women’s C1 class taking the win ahead of Leanne Guinea and Alison Borrows.
