Fiona’s paddling for Beijing place

Oct 2 2007 Gordon Bannerman

BIG County paddler Fiona Pennie has added to her impressive medal haul with success at the world slalom championships in Brazil.

The talented 25-year-old Crieff athlete was representing team GB, which returned with two bronze medals and qualified three boats for the Beijing Olympics.

Kayak star Fiona, who snatched silver in last year’s world championships, now has her sights sight on claiming an Olympics place.

Her Brazilian exploits topped a memorable season, following on from bronze at a world race in Prague over the summer.

Opening the competition, the women’s team consisting of Fiona, Laura Blakeman and Lizzie Neave fought for a medal and secured bronze in Foz do Iguassu. The trio also took bronze at the European Championships recently.

Former Morrison’s Academy pupil Fiona, a graduate of Loughborough University, went on to take seventh place in the Women’s K1 (kayak single) class.

It was a hailed as a “strong performance” by Fiona, who was in eight place after the semi-finals.

She had the raw strength and technical ability to deliver when it mattered and managed to pick up the pace enough to climb one position, in a clean run.

Crucially, Fiona’s determined performance also secured GB a boat in the Women’s K1 at the Beijing Olympics.

A spokesman said: “The GB team have a lot to feel proud about after the racing in Brazil. The competition was fierce, but a superb proportion of GB athletes made it to the finals. Perhaps more importantly two medals were won and GB has secured its representation in the Men’s K1, the Women’s K1 and the Men’s C1 classes in Beijing next year. There is certainly much to look forward to in the next 12 months.”