Mallory Franklin Secures Three Medals at European Slalom Championships

Olympic medallist Mallory Franklin marked her return to competition by claiming canoe gold and kayak cross silver at the Paddle Europe Slalom Championships in Ivrea.

The 32-year-old delivered a flawless, penalty-free run of 100.47 seconds to defeat France’s Doriane Delassus by 0.03 seconds, securing her third career European C1 title.

This victory marked Franklin’s first individual medal since the birth of her daughter, following a bronze in the team event earlier in the week in Italy.

“It’s a great way to end the year. It was tough getting back on the start line,” said Franklin.

“I’ve been building throughout the year, and this is a nice way to finish it.”

Franklin completed her medal set on the final day, battling through the kayak cross knockout rounds under the floodlights to secure silver behind the Czech Republic’s Tereza Kneblova.

Great Britain enjoyed double success in the kayak cross, with two-time Olympic medallist Kimberley Woods taking individual gold after winning the morning time trial in 48.02 seconds ahead of Poland’s Klaudia Zwolinska.

Bronze was also secured in the men’s K1 team event by Ben Haylett, Sam Leaver, and Joe Clarke, alongside the women’s C1 bronze won by Woods, Franklin, and Ellis Miller.

In the men’s events, Clarke and Sam Leaver narrowly missed the podium in the kayak final, finishing fifth and sixth respectively behind Czech winner Jakub Krejci.

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