Slalom paddlers compete for final spots on national team at Penrith

Australia’s canoe slalom paddlers will return to the rapids at Penrith Whitewater Stadium this weekend for the Australian Open, an International Canoe Federation (ICF) World Ranking Event, from 20-22 February. 

Penrith will host some of the country’s best, with World Championships bronze medallists Kate Eckhardt and Kaylen Bassett, Olympic gold medallist Noemie Fox and dual Olympian Lucien Delfour – all New South Wales Institute of Sport (NSWIS) scholarship holders lining up against a strong field of international talent including 2024 Paris Olympic Kayak Cross men’s champion Finn Butcher (NZ), 2025 ICF World Championship K1 and C1 women’s champion Klaudia Zwolinska (POL) and Tokyo 2020 Olympic K1 men’s gold medallist Jiri Prskavec (CZE). 

After winning two silver medals at last weekend’s Penrith Open, Delfour is hoping for another strong weekend on the water.

“I’m feeling more relaxed. I still want to race well, whether it’s canoe slalom or kayak cross. For me, it’s good preparation – I have trained quite hard towards these races,” Delfour said.

A surprise from the Penrith Open was U23 Aussie paddler Merle Long (NSWIS) taking out the men’s kayak cross race in the photo finish with Delfour. Following the breakthrough result, Long is looking to make more of an impact this weekend.

“I’ve been training hard this week leading into this weekend. I’m going to do my best in canoe slalom, best in kayak cross and win as much as I can,” Long said. 

Olympic gold medallist  Fox looked in impressive touch at the Penrith Open, dominating as the fastest qualifier for both the women’s C1 and K1 events. She finished the weekend with a silver medal in the women’s C1 race behind Slovakia’s Zuzana Pankova.

“The level is really strong, so it’s just a matter of stepping into it. It’s going to be another big weekend and then we’re well and truly into the season. It’s come quickly but I feel really ready and fresh after what was a very big and challenging year for me,” Fox said. 

A strong contingent of international paddlers will back up from the Penrith Open into the Australian Open this weekend, including Olympic and World Championship paddlers from Czech Republic, Great Britain, New Zealand, Japan, Slovenia and Poland. 

For the schedule, start lists and results for the Australian Open, click here. 

Paddle Australia