Jenny Egan set a new national record and took 14th overall in the K1 500 metres at the European Canoe Sprint Championships in Belgrade yesterday.
Egan’s time in the heat of one minute 55.9 seconds was a personal best and qualified her for the semi-finals, where she finished eighth. Barry Watkins qualified for both the K1 1,000 metres and 500 metres semi-finals and progressed to the B Finals in both events.
former news:
Barry Watkins and Jenny Egan represent Ireland this morning at the European Senior Sprint Championships in Belgrade in Serbia.
Watkins struggled with health problems at his last outing in a World Cup event in Germany and will be hoping to put in a solid performance this week.
With the added value assistance of his Olympic Council of Ireland athlete scholarship he was able to have an extended period of traing earlier this year in Florida.
Nearer home he finalised his preparations at his home club at Salmon Leap in Leixlip.
Watkins is coached by Brendan Maloney and is set for heats in both his disciplines, the 500m and 1,000m, today.
Last year he finished seventh in the 500 metres and 13th in the 1,000 metres, which is an Olympic event for men in London.
Jenny Egan, also of Salmon Leap Club, who last month won a silver medal in the K1 (racing kayak) 5,000 metre (non Olympic distance) event at the World Cup Kayak Sprint regatta, and goes in the 500 metre heats (an Olympic distance)
Its a busy schedule for both canoeists and in temperatures of up to 35 degrees in Belgrade .
(Photo: Barry Watkins with Martin Burke, OCI Sports Director in Olympic House Howth)
