Coach Joe Harper on the dock with Women’s C2 (Andreea Ghizila & Audrey Harper) at the first ICF Canoe Sprint World Cup of the season in Szeged, Hungary
U.S. Sprint and Paracanoe Teams Members began their international racing season this May at the first two ICF Sprint World Cups of the new Olympic/Paralympic cycle.
The first World Cup took place May 16-18 in Szeged, Hungary. The U.S. Women’s C2, raced by Audrey Harper and Andreea Ghizila set a new national record in the 500m event.
The U.S. Team then traveled to Poznan, Poland for windy conditions and more competitive racing. There the team was joined by U.S. Paracanoe athlete, Michael Ballard who raced in the Men’s KL2 200m event in his first major international race of the season. Audrey Harper and Andreea Ghizila continued to have impressive performances in the Women’s C2 500m event, qualifying for the A-Final, and placing 6th in the event overall.
Kenny Kasperbauer had a great performance in the B-Final of the Men’s C1 200m event, finishing in fist place in his final for a 10th place finish in the event overall.
Stout competition for all athletes and the U.S. Team had a strong start to the season. The next big international race is the Junior and U23 World Championships that will take place in Montemor-o-Velho, July 23-27.