A Queenstown couple were thrilled with their results in the recent world waka ama sprint champs in London, despite just missing out on
medalling.
In the 70-plus women’s division, Frances Piacun, 72, finished fourth in the 500-metre solo race, among 22 paddlers, and sixth, with Auckland team mates, in the six-person 500m and 1000m races.
In the 60-plus men’s division, her partner, Leon Williams, who was paddling with Auckland/Far North crew in a six-man waka, finished fourth in the 500m sprint, just missing out on bronze by a second, and fourth in the 1000m sprint.
Piacun says they were delighted with their placings considering the size of their fields at Dorney Lake, venue for the 2012 Olympics rowing.
The champs attracted about 1600 paddlers, including about 250 from New Zealand.
Piacun and Williams’ coach, Tauranga-based Corrina Gage, said the level of competition was the toughest she’d ever seen.
However, Piacun says the heat — about 35 degrees each race day — was their biggest obstacle, considering they’d come out of a Queenstown winter.
And compared to other hot venues, there was no sea breeze to temper it, she adds.
The couple are already looking forward to the 2024 worlds in Hawaii, where they hope to be joined by a girls’ Wakatipu Waka Ama Club crew who’ll be in the under-19s by then.
