More British gold success as McKeever sprints to victory

ED McKeever delivered on his pre-race status as favourite to claim gold on another successful day for Great Britain at the European Canoeing Championships.

McKeever seized a K1 victory in the new Olympic 200m sprint distance, clocking a personal best 35.5 seconds and claiming the scalp of Germany's triple 500m Olympic medallist Ronnie Rauhe.

"It was a good race, a really good start. It was hard after 150m, I could have done with the finish coming 50 metres earlier but I was able to hold on," he said.

"It feels really great being European champion. I came into the regatta feeling confident and I'm delighted with how it has turned out. 

"I'll enjoy this now and then go back to England to prepare for the World Championship."

British canoeists will certainly head to Poznan in six weeks brimming with confidence, following this weekend's performances in Trasona, Spain.

Rachel Cawthorn won K1 1000m gold and then followed it up with a bronze over 500m, behind Hungary's Danuta Kozak and multiple Olympic champion Katrin Wagner-Augustin.

While international newcomer Liam Heath and former wild water canoeist Jon Schofield delivered a third gold medal with a narrow victory in the K2 200m. They finished four hundredths ahead of Spain's Saul Craviotto Rivero and Carlos Perez Rial.

"To think this time last year, I was pulling pints. It has been an absolute roller coaster and I can't believe it," said Heath.

John Anderson, GB Canoeing performance director, was delighted with his team's weekend work - which he hopes underlines their emerging status ahead of London 2012.

"I'm absolutely delighted for the athletes," he said. 

"The change in the Olympic programme from 500m to 200m was just made for Ed McKeever and he has grabbed the opportunity with both hands."