Congratulations to Lisa Carrington on winning the Open Women’s K1 200m, K1 500m and K2 500m races (with Jaimee Lovett) at Lake Karipiro

Lisa did not hold back in the last NZ competition of the season and looks to be on track for success at the 2016 Rio Olympics in August.

"I definitely did it the best I could. There's no being soft because the other girls are going really well, so I have to be at my best." Lisa said.

The 2016 NZCT Canoe Sprint National Championships was the final outing for the Nelo K1 Cinco that Lisa paddled to gold at the World Champs last year. Nelo has just completed an exclusive K1 Cinco model for Lisa that has been fine-tuned to complement Lisa’s paddling style. Race times are sure to be even more impressive at the Olympics.

See a video of Lisa’s triumphant sprint to the line in the K1 200m here.

Selected highlights

Marty McDowell worked hard for his two gold medals, as part of the Open Men's K4 1000m and K2 1000m winning teams. Fingers crossed, if he can convince the selectors, he could yet make it to the NZ Team at Rio in August.

North Shore's Briar McLeely, Stef Crnecevic, Rebecca Cole and Teneale Hatton took out the K4 500m.

Also impressive were the performances of several up-and-coming guys – particularly Taris Harker, Max Brown, Toby Brooke and Quaid Thompson (who shone in the under-18 division). The lads managed to catch the eye of the new NZ Men’s coach, Frederic Loyer, who is looking at building the men’s squad to match the caliber of the women’s team for the 2020 Olympics. Read more about his appointment on the CRNZ website here.

Poverty Bay was top of the medal table with 18 gold medals, 17 silver and 11 bronze. Christchurch's Arawa also picked up 18 golds.

To see full results on the CRNZ website click here.

Terry’s personal highlights

“Hands down, the highlight was meeting paddling legend Adam van Koeverden”. Terry says without hesitation.

The three-time Olympic medalist in K1 500m and K1 1000m, World Cup winner and World Champ is spending 10 days in NZ training with the NZ men’s kayak team and had a paddle at the NZ Champs. Great to have such a renowned athlete competing here!

Praise for the race organisers