Stone canoeist heading for London 2012!

HUGE congratulations to Stone’s Lizzie Neave who will be representing Great Britain at the London 2012 Olympics after she booked her place at the canoe slalom selection trials this weekend.

Lizzie – a member of the Stafford and Stone Canoe Club based at Westbridge Park – will make her Olympic debut in the women’s kayak single event after an action-packed three days of racing at the London 2012 course in Hertfordshire.

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Lizzie, the world and European bronze medallist, told Metro earlier this year: “‘My focus is clear – I want to be racing at the Games to win. I know the atmosphere will be really exciting, with lots of spectators, hype and of course the huge media interest which is already growing on a daily basis. Being part of the home nation team at an Olympics will be extra special.”

Fellow Stafford and Stone Canoe Club member Mark Proctor made the senior team at this weekend’s trials, with Joe Clarke and Adam Burgess making the under-23 team, a huge achievement for the athletes and the club.

John Anderson, GB Canoeing performance director, said: “We have seen some outstanding performances here this weekend and it has certainly been a rollercoaster ride. I firmly believe that we have nominated five outstanding athletes, possibly our strongest canoe slalom team ever for an Olympic Games, all with the potential to challenge for the podium.

“It is also great to see some young athletes coming into the senior team and that we have also been able to select a full team in each of the five classes at under-23 level, which is impressive.”

In canoe slalom, competitors complete individual timed runs down a 300m whitewater course containing up to 25 gates, made out of pairs of suspended poles. It’s considered the ultimate challenge in speed, agility and precision. The sport made its debut at the Olympic Games in 1972 but has only been a regular Olympic discipline since 1992.