Kayakers Finn Butcher and Callum Gilbert will head a 14-strong New Zealand challenge at the canoe slalom under-23 and junior world championships in Bratislava, Slovakia, beginning tonight.
The K1 pair have been regular ICF World Cup semifinalists over the recent season and Alexandra's Butcher (15th) and Tauranga's Gilbert (18th) were just single penalties away from making the top-10 final in the under-23 division last year.
Joining them this week are 16-year-old Rotorua paddler Zack Mutton, who grabbed an impressive 19th in the junior semifinals last year, and under-23 K1 paddlers Alex Hawthorne, Courtney Williams and Kensa Randle, who all have recent World Cup experience.
Juniors Callum Aitken and Damian Torwick (men's K1), Claudia Paterson, Annie Wardle and Casey Hales (women's K1) and Jack Egan, Josh Bell and Stewart Bloor (men's C1) complete the team.
They will join more than 400 athletes from almost 50 countries, including Olympic medallists and finalists, at the championship.