Coast trio chase more glory at Oceania Grand Prix
GOLD Coast Paralympic medallists Curtis McGrath, Susan Seipel and AJ Reynolds headline the paddling action at the Oceania Grand Prix meet at the Sydney International Regatta from today.
The trio, who backed up their performances in Rio by winning world championships last year, will take on competitors from Oceania and Europe, as well as Australia’s best at the three-day meet at Penrith.
With just three weeks until the national senior selection trials at the same venue, the Grand Prix provides the first major hitout of the season for about 150 athletes competing in 89 events across Olympic and Paralympic categories in open and age divisions.
Seipel, who snared Australia’s first ever Paralympic canoeing medal with bronze in the KL2 in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, said the Grand Prix was provided the perfect opportunity to hone her race skills ahead of the national titles.
“I have been pretty happy with my times so far this season and hope I’ll be able to go a bit faster again at the Grand Prix ahead of our selection event at nationals,” she said.
Paralympic and world championship gold medallist McGrath will also be in action at the former Olympic facility at Penrith in today’s heats.