GLL Sport Foundation Athletes Shine at the 2025 ICF Canoe Slalom and Kayak Cross World Championships

GLL Sport Foundation Athletes Shine at the 2025 ICF Canoe Slalom and Kayak Cross World Championships in Australia

From the 29th September to the 4th October 2025, 8 GLL Sport Foundation (GSF) past and present athletes from Lee Valley Regional Park Authority delivered an outstanding series of performances at the 2025 ICF Canoe Slalom and Kayak Cross World Championships in Sydney, Australia, claiming 7 medals (2 Bronze, 4 Silver, 1 Gold)!

The Championships began with the Kayak Cross individual time trials, setting the tone for an action-packed week. National Ambassador Joe Clarke MBE opened the British medal tally in style, claiming silver in the men’s kayak cross qualifiers. Nikita Setchell (Top Up Award) impressed with a confident eighth-place finish, while National Ambassador Kimberley Woods laid strong foundations with 15th. GSF alumni athletes Sam and Lois Leaver also progressed safely through the opening round, ensuring a full British presence in the next stages.

Day two saw Britain’s canoeists double their medal count as both men’s and women’s C1 teams climbed the podium. In the men’s race, Luc Royle (Top Up Award) and alumni Ryan Westley delivered a near-flawless performance to secure silver, just 0.79 seconds behind France. The women’s event brought even more drama. After a tense review process, Kimberley Woods and her teammates were confirmed as bronze medallists, following the reversal of a 50-second penalty that initially dropped them to eighth. All GSF paddlers who featured in team events also advanced to their respective individual semi-finals - with Kimberley qualifying second-fastest in the women’s C1, and both Ryan and Luc advancing in the men’s C1.

On day three, Joe Clarke MBE added another medal to his tally, claiming bronze in the men’s kayak team event alongside Ben Haylett (Top Up Award). Despite narrowly missing progression in the individual heats, both athletes rebounded brilliantly to reach the team podium. The women’s team, featuring Kimberley Woods, Nikita Setchell, and Lois Leaver, finished a solid seventh - all three advancing to individual semi-finals.

Day four saw a superb return to individual glory for alumni Ryan Westley, who stormed to silver in the men’s C1 final, his third career World Championship medal. After a measured semi-final performance that secured him a place in the top 10, Ryan unleashed a stunning final run to reach the podium once again. Meanwhile, Kimberley Woods looked set for another medal after qualifying fastest in the women’s C1 semi-finals. However, time penalties at gates 12 and 13 ended her podium hopes, leaving her just outside the medals.

The penultimate day brought another moment of brilliance as Kimberley Woods captured silver in the women’s K1, upgrading her Olympic bronze from Paris 2024. Posting a time of 102.09 seconds, she cemented her reputation as one of the world’s best technical paddlers. Elsewhere in the same event, alumni Lois Leaver and Nikita Setchell finished 18th and 20th in the semi-finals, respectively.

The Championships concluded in spectacular fashion as Joe Clarke MBE made history, winning his fourth consecutive Kayak Cross World title. Entering as the defending champion, Joe once again proved unbeatable, demonstrating class, composure, and consistency across every round. Alumni Sam Leaver also impressed, winning his heat to reach the quarterfinals before narrowly missing a semi-final place. In the women’s kayak cross, Nikita Setchell delivered one of her best international performances yet, winning the small final to cap off a remarkable week. Kimberley Woods, fresh from her K1 silver, reached the quarter-finals, while Lois Leaver bowed out after a competitive opening heat.

From world titles and podium finishes to breakthrough performances, GSF past and present athletes proved their ability to perform among the world’s elite. The GLL Sport Foundation is immensely proud of every athlete who represented their club, their country, and the Foundation in Sydney. Their achievements are a testament to the dedication, hard work, and perseverance required to succeed at the highest level.