2010 Sprint National Team Trials, Day 1 Complete

Gerald Babao April 24, 2010

Two-time Olympian, Carrie Johnson (La Jolla, California), returned with decisive victory in the Women's Kayak 500 meter event at the 2010 USA Canoe/Kayak Sprint National Teams Trials in Chula Vista, CA. After missing the 2009 season due to health issues, Johnson blistered the course on Lake Otay in a time 1:53.30, which secures her a birth on USA Canoe/Kayak's National Team that will compete at the Sprint World Championships in Poznan, Poland in August, 2010.

Joining Johnson at the World Championships will be USA Canoe/Kayak newcomer, Krisztina Zur (Newport Beach, California) who took second place covering the 500 meters in 1:54.03. Zur recently left the prestigious Hungarian canoe/kayak program and is looking to make a big splash in her U.S. racing debut. "I am really happy to be a part of the U.S. National Team," said Zur. "I feel a lot of support here. USA Canoe/Kayak's Sprint Trials also welcomed several new elements to the 2010 National Team including:  

  • New Olympic Event: The addition of 200 meter events to the Sprint Olympic program infuses a lot of excitement and opportunity in the sport.

  • New World Championship Event: For the first time ever, Women's Canoeing is being contested as a full-medal sport at the 2010 World Championships for both Olympic disciplines, Sprint and Slalom. 

  • New Coaches: Guy Wilding, Shawn Caven and Stein Jorgensen round out USA Canoe/Kayak's National Sprint Team coaching staff bringing more accountability and vision to the program than ever before.

Racing continues on Sunday at Lake Otay when all 200 meter events will be contested. 

Nearly 100 athletes from around the United States are competing at the USA Canoe/Kayak Sprint Trials in Chula Vista. The annual event is the gateway to various international events including the World Championships, World Cup and the Pan American Championships for Junior and Senior level competitors.  USA Canoe/Kayak extends a special "thank you" to Sprint Team Trials event partners, the U.S. Olympic Committee and the staff at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Powerhouse Timing Systems, Nelo Canoes and Kayaks, Braca-Sport, BBI Spreaders, Starbucks Coffee and Rubio's Restaurants. USA Canoe/Kayak is the national and Olympic governing body for competitive paddlesports with offices in Charlotte, North Carolina and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

For Trials results and up-to-date information, please click here.     

Tags: Canoe Sprint, Carrie Johnson