Bay of Plenty kayaker Luuka Jones wasn't able to capitalise on winning a top placing at the world canoe slalom champs but still secured New Zealand's best finish.
Jones, a former Waiariki Academy of Sport and two-time Olympic kayaker, finished 10th at Deep Creek Lake in the United States, but it could have been 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 said.
"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 50-second 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, who became 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.