Queen Qualifies for Semifinals in France

Slalom Junior World Championships Kicks Off in Foix

Foix, France – Caroline Queen (Darnestown, Md.) advanced into Sunday’s semifinal round in women’s K-1 at the 2010 ICF Canoe Slalom Junior World Championships. The recent high school graduate fought back from a tough first run to finish 16th with a time of 121.84, 11.14 seconds behind the first place Clara Giai Pron of Italy.

The rest of the U.S. Junior National Team will begin competing tomorrow. Hailey Thompson (Stevens Point, Wis.) is the lone American in the women’s C-1 event. Tyler Hinton (Boulder, Colo.), Liam Malakof (Alexandria, Va.) and Zach Lokken (Durango Colo.) will paddle hard in the men’s C-1 category. Kayakers Michal Smolen (Gastonia, N.C.), Peter Lutter (Bethesda, Md.) and Simon Ranagan (Bethesda, Md.) hope to contend for top honors in men’s K-1.

Queen, Thomas and Lokken recently finished competing in the first two races of the 2010 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup series. Thompson reached the semifinal round at World Cup No. 1 in Prague, finishing 14th. Both Queen and Lokken improved from World Cup No. 1 to No. 2.

“Caroline paddled hard today and I’m excited to watch her in the next round,” said William Irving, USA Canoe/Kayak National Teams Director. “Every one of our athletes will gain invaluable experience competing against the best young canoe and kayak competitors the world has to offer. The team will benefit from the leadership of our three World Cup veterans.”

For live results and video of the World Championships, visit http://www.123result.com/. Visit http://www.foixcanoe2010.com/en/ for more information.

USA Canoe/Kayak is a member of the U.S. Olympic Committee and the International Canoe Federation. It governs the Olympic disciplines of Flatwater Sprint and Whitewater Slalom and sanctions Freestyle, Marathon, Outrigger, Wildwater, Kayak Polo, Dragon Boat and Canoe Sailing in the United States. For more information about USA Canoe/Kayak, please visit us on the web at www.usack.org.