Rotorua's Toni George in action at this year's Sickline extreme kayak world championships in Austria. Photo / Supplied
Rotorua white water kayaker Toni George has finished second at the Sickline extreme kayak world championships in Austria.
The 25-year-old finished second to French women Nouria Newman, 22, while Martina Wegman from the Netherlands was third. The event saw its largest number of women competitors taking part with 12 women
lining up.
George was consistent in her two qualifying runs finishing second going into the finals. The first of her two runs in the final saw her just two seconds off the French women's pace. However, her final run saw her get into a little trouble. "It's definitely one of the toughest races out there. It was going pretty good for me until the TNT rapid. I was just a little too far on the right," George said. "I rolled over but rolled back up quite easily and got enough speed to get through the Champions Killer minus one rapid. I rolled there quickly as well and then got as fast as I could to the finish."
She was one of three Rotorua paddlers with last year's defending champion Sam Sutton and younger brother Jamie taking part in the men's division.
Unfortunately for the two- time defending champion he wasn't able to repeat the feat having to finish one spot behind his brother who finished fourth.
