Alice makes a splash as she rises to top in British canoeing rankings
Alice makes a splash as she rises to top in British canoeing rankings
Alice Haining in the water and, left, the website that announced her pole position. photograph:Geoff allen
GALASHIELS schoolgirl Alice Haining is the number one women's paddler in Britain. It's official.
In June the 16-year-old talented athlete just missed out on a place in the three member K1W GB Junior Team but was selected as first reserve. Then she told TheSouthern of her ambition to make it into the top three and compete for her country in the 2011 season. In the past month, however, her results have been so good that she has achieved pole position on the overall rankings table - a position that even the ambitious teenager has trouble believing. "It's been quite a surprise really," she said.
"I have just been going out there and trying my best. I have had two top 10 finishes and two top five over the past month and that has been good enough to move me into first.
"I don't expect to be there for too long, but I will enjoy it while it lasts."
Alice began her canoeing career by going sea kayaking with her parents aged just eight.
Previously known for her mastery of hill-running, cross-country and triathlon, Alice is a prodigiously talented paddler and has met the Scottish performance criteria for canoeing, which she has now made her number one sport.
As an athlete supported by the East of Scotland Institute of Sport, backed up by funding from Ettrick and Lauderdale Sports Council over the past two years, Alice has had access to quality training facilities and individually tailored coaching programmes, delivered by experienced coaches, and a fully-integrated strength and conditioning programme.
She puts her latest success down to this. "I have had the chance to compete abroad this season and my technique has improved greatly. I am really feeling the benefits," she said.
Alice is one of six elite members of the Scottish Performance Squad - and is aiming for a 2016 Olympic Games spot. Her place in the GB team will help make this possible and Alice is confident that she can move up to one of the top three spots.
"I still have another two years at this level while all the other girls are a year older than me and will move up a stage," she explained.
"In two years. when the World Juniors are on again, there will only be me left from this group, so if I stick in, I know I can do it.
"Ever since I have been involved in sport I have wanted to win an Olympic medal and I am focused on doing just that in six years."
Before that, though, Alice has to keep herself up with the country's best, and in mid-July she travelled to Prague for a two-week training camp before moving on to Cardiff earlier this month for a Premier event. Competing at the Washburn, the youngster came top of the junior section and took fourth place overall to notch the all-important top spot.
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Weather for Galashiels
Thursday 24 May 2012
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