Littlehales Aspires for Paris 2024

Australia’s Paralympians and Paralympic hopefuls have made their first bid for Paris 2024 at the Kayak and Va’a finals at the 2024 Canoe Sprint Grand Prix 2 and Oceania Championships.

Three-time Paralympic gold medalist Curtis McGrath and reigning world champion Dylan Littlehales went head-to-head in the Men’s Kayak Multiclass Final, with New Zealand’s Scott Martlew.

With the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games less than 200 days away, NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) athlete Littlehales said it was nice to be back out in the water in a racing environment.

“It was a good race to start the year. Not the best times in the world but we’re experimenting with new foot plates and paddles so overall it was very positive,” Littlehales said.

“Good to blow the cobwebs out for the year, and feel what it’s like to go off the line and through the 200 metres.

“Ever since Paris (World Cup) end of last year, we haven’t had a chance to do that, so to actually have a good hit out and remember the feeling is good…onwards and upwards,” he said.

Dylan Littlehales

After qualifying a quota at last year’s World Championships, McGrath said this regatta is about working towards securing his place on the Australian Paralympic Team.

“It’s nice to be back in the saddle, and racing against Dyl and Scotty Martlew from New Zealand,” McGrath said.

“It’s great that everyone is excited about Paris, and everyone is looking forward to it, everyone’s working towards it and everyone’s really excited for the opportunity.

“We’ve got some new faces this cycle, which is nice to see that the sport is growing too,” he said.

Article and image courtesy of Paddle Australia