There was more disappointment for Team GB at the Lee Valley whitewater centre today as K1 paddler Richard Hounslow failed to make the final.
Hounslow, who gets another crack at a medal in the men’s C2 event tomorrow, was – according to GB Canoeing – off the pace and also incurred a penalty, leaving him in 12th place, two places outside qualification for the final.
Hounslow told GB Canoeing’s website: “I thought that it had been a half decent run to be honest and that I had done enough. But when I crossed the line and saw that I had had a touch and that I was off the pace as well I knew I was out.”
He added: ““I haven’t really performed to the best of my ability this whole competition. It is hard but I have got to now pull myself back together again and hopefully if we can put in a good semi final and get into the final tomorrow there are six boats for three medals so it is all to play for.”
The race was won by Italy’s Daniele Molmenti. In silver medal position was Czech paddler Vavrinec Hradilek while Hannes Aigner of Germany finished with a bronze medal.
John Anderson GB Performance Director said: “He started well but he had a big time loss after the first drop and was chasing it after that. It was just not his best run at all, which is a pity because I cannot remember another semi-final where there has been a six second time gap between the first and 10th paddler. There was an opportunity there and I am disappointed for Richard that he wasn’t able to take it
Hounslow and Florence will be joined in the C2 competition tomorrow by Tim Baillie and Etienne Stott, both World and European medallists. Lizzie Neave will also be competing in the women’s K1
