A buzz preceded the arrival of the canoe sprint paddlers at Paris 2024 after their incredible performance at the Tokyo Olympics. Keeping all expectations and hype intact Katie Vincent and Sloan Mackenzie have crossed the first hurdle with an Olympic Best time of 1:54.46 in the qualifying round.
In spite of Vincent having a new partner in Mackenzie after Laurence Vincent Lapoine retired after the Tokyo Olympics, nothing has changed for Vincent as they look to change their fate at the Paris 2024 Olympics. The Semifinal will now take place on Friday.
WHAT A START FOR KATIE VINCENT AND MACKENZIE SLOAN 🇨🇦🛶
— CBC Olympics (@CBCOlympics) August 6, 2024
The Canadians set a new OLYMPIC BEST TIME (1:54.16) in their opening heat of the women's canoe double 500m
They advance to Friday's semifinals at #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/cUpkUgiTcB
“It was incredible, I know my family is in the stands and so is Sloan’s. Having that support behind us helps a lot,” said Vincent to Olympic Canada.
“Tokyo was a little quieter, maybe a little lonelier. Having everybody here, I think we are feeling that a little in the water,” she added.
Fiery Encounter With Spain
Although Vincent and Mackenzie achieved an Olympic record time, it was a close race against Spain. At the 100-meter mark, the Canadian boat took over the race and crossed the finish line with an Olympic Best time after the Spanish boat had led about half a length ahead in the first half of the race.
“That last 150 (metres), when you have that crowd, and the pride of being Canadian, helps out on the water,” said Vincent.
“The first one for me is always a little bit of a warm-up. The lactic builds, and I get a little queasy at the end, but Sloan gets queasy at the start, so we balance each other out,”
“She is nervous before, and I am a little sick after, but it is just the nerves. It’s the Olympics.” said Vincent to Olympic Canada.
There are now big expectations resting on the shoulders for Paris 2024 of the dynamic duo of Vincent and Mackenzie, who have been achieving big success in recent times. In the year 2023, both athletes won bronze medals at the ICF World Championships, gold at the ICF World Championships in Santiago, and silver at a World Cup event in Szeged, Hungary, most recently.
Big Results In Canoeing At Paris 2024
Despite the focus on Vincent and Mackenzie being at the forefront of all headlines, as far as Team Canada in Canoeing are concerned, it was an all-around successful day. The pair of Pierre-Luc Poulin and Simon McTavish finished third in the men’s K-2 500m and qualified for the semi-final.
The women’s K-2 500m team also qualified for the semifinals on Friday with Courtney Stott and Natalie Davison set for Friday’s semifinals. As far as the K-4 500 is concerned, the men’s team has qualified for the semi-finals while the women’s team will compete in the semi-finals this Thursday.
