Jess Walker, Brighton
Canoeing
"It was summer time when I first went to my local club so there were plenty of people there and lots of girls that I got on well with. I keep going down and realised I really liked the sport. The coach spotted me and told me I was really talented"
How did you get started?
Jessica Walker, 22, was born in Brighton and grew up near London. She began canoeing at the age of 10 at Royal, the world's oldest canoe club. "I started paddling at my local canoe club. My grandma's friend's grandson canoed, so I went with him." Local club racing led on to development races, where she was consistently the fastest in her age group. After storming the U23 Europeans in 2008, taking gold, she became the youngest every female flatwater canoeist to be selected for an Olympics, competing in the K2 double kayak event with Anna Hemmings, coming 17th overall. With a second Olympics approaching at the age of 22, Jess has the potential for even greater Olympic achievements in 2016.
Greatest achievements
2012 European championships fourth place, K4 500m
2010 World Cup bronze
2009 European championships bronze, K4 200m
2008 Youngest female flatwater canoeist selected for an Olympics
2008 European U23 championships gold in the 1000m and silver in 500m
Prospects for 2012
The four-person women's K4 500m boat, long seen as a strong medal contender, was upset by a last-minute change of personnel in June, but will still be in with a shot of a podium place. Walker will be able to prove her individual credentials in the Women's K1 200m, a new event which debuts at London 2012. Jess will compete in K4 500m 6 and 8 August and Women's Kayak single 10-11 August at Eton Dorney, Buckinghamshire
http://www.london2012.com/canoe-sprint/
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