Kayaker Luuka Jones has secured New Zealand's best finish at a world canoe slalom championship, finishing 10th at Deep Creek Lake in the United States.
But it could've been so much better for the 25-year-old, who was ruled to have missed a gate in the 10-boat final after qualifying second-fastest.
"I felt good over the entire weekend and it was a shame that one small mistake cost me so much," Jones lamented. "I was having a good run and on one move turned too early for a gate and missed it. I paddled back for it but they still gave me a 50sec penalty. That's the nature of canoe slalom I guess - being a few inches off-line can cost you a lot - but qualifying for the final in second place was a massive highlight."
It's already been a breakthrough year for the Bay of Plenty paddler, becoming the first New Zealander to finish the World Cup circuit ranked in the top-10, with a season-best of 10th in Slovenia in June. Her world championship finish is a huge confidence boost a year out from qualifying for the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, where Jones hopes to represent New Zealand for the third successive Games.
"It's been a good season for me and it's really nice to finish on a high but I'm definitely looking forward to a bit of a break."
