Slalom racing: Top kayakers upbeat over champs

Tauranga kayakers Mike Dawson (left) and Luuka Jones will lead a large New Zealand contingent at this week's canoe slalom world championships in London. Photo / Jamie Troughton / Dscribe Media

Luuka Jones and Mike Dawson are hoping history repeats at this week's canoe slalom world championships in London.

The leading New Zealand kayakers will be aiming to qualify boats for Rio de Janeiro on the tough Lee Valley course, venue for the 2012 Olympics, with Jones tilting for her third consecutive Games and Dawson his second.

A year ago in Prague, the two recorded their best world championship finishes, Jones making the final for the first time and finishing 10th and Dawson ending in 12th. Similar results this week would easily qualify New Zealand spots amid the top-15 nations destined for Rio, Dawson explaining the London course suits the New Zealand paddling style.

"This course is incredible - it's big and powerful with so many options," the 28-year-old said. "I really enjoy paddling here and the feeling on the water. We're all pretty excited about the week ahead."

Dawson got his World Cup season off to a flyer in Europe this year, setting the fastest time in qualifying in the opening round in Prague and eventually finishing ninth, although he missed the semifinals in the final round in France after his hectic extreme/expedition/slalom schedule took its toll.

Jones, meanwhile, took a while to get her rhythm this season but came right by the time she got to France, qualifying for the semifinals in fourth spot.

"Going into this race is about taking everything I have learned from previous races to put together a performance I can be proud of," Jones said. "I've spent a lot of time at Lee Valley this year and know the course well - I can't really do anything more to prepare for this event."

There will also be plenty of interest in the rest of the New Zealand team, with Kelly Travers (C1), Finn Butcher and Callum Gilbert (K1) all making their first World Cup semifinals this season and C1 paddlers Ben Gibb and Shaun Higgens making steady improvements.

Tauranga-raised siblings Brydent and Ella Nicholas will also be racing in London for the Cook Islands, with Ella already having represented the Pacific Island nation at the 2012 Olympics.

Dawson believes the team dynamics are as good as he's ever experienced leading into a world championship. "They're a great bunch to train and work with. It's going to be awesome to see Luuka race here, as she's paddling really well, while the younger paddlers have spent a lot of time on the course and have had a great build-up."

The championships get under way on Wednesday night (NZ time).