Make or break for Canoeist Deborah
Kerr is heading for World Championships
Motherwell canoeist Deborah Kerr is delighted to have qualified for the Under- 23 World Canoe Championships in Belarus – because she says this year was make or break for her.
The 18- year- old will partner Samantha Rees Clark in the K2 500m at the event in Minsk, which runs from July 28-31, giving them just under six weeks of intense training between now and then.
Deborah, who makes her under-23 debut in Minsk, has been through a tough year in the sport, is delighted to have come out the other side, and to have learned from the experience.
She said: “This year has been a bit all over the place and my focus has been changing all the time, from the Olympic trials to national regattas and my first senior World Cup even.
“Now we have six weeks with no other races to get our heads down and train hard so we can be in the best shape possible for the worlds.
“I knew this year was make or break, it’s the kind of year where you can go on to great things, or the complete opposite, and I’m really happy that I’ve gone on this side! I’ve managed to stay on top of things.
“I kind of knew on Saturday that we had probably qualified, because we had to achieve a certain time and we were one second under.
“We knew we had the time, and it was a case of whether or not we were going to be selected. We were really pleased, and quite emotional, once it had all sunk in.
“I know what to expect; it’s going to be tough, but it will all help with my training and I will be working really, really hard.
“I’m only 18 and taking part in under-23 competition so I know I just have to continue doing what I’m doing, and I’m really happy to be going to the World Championships.”
Deborah says partner Samantha Reeds Clark is on a similar journey to hers and it’s a perfect match at this stage in their careers.
She said: “We have less than six weeks to go now, so Sam is going to be coming up here and I’ll be going down to where she is, which is in Nottingham. We can clearly focus on the World Championships, so it’s the perfect set-up.
“I’ve known Sam for four years, she has been to every international competition that I have been at, and she has really been on the same journey as me. Her first European Championships was my first European Championships, and so on.
“It’s a strong field in Britain so it’s an honour to be selected.”