Mallory Franklin was left wanting more despite picking up gold in the women’s Team C1 at the Canoe Slalom European Championships in Slovakia today.
Franklin, along with team-mates Kim Wood and Eilidh Gibson, beat Czech Republic by 40 seconds in the C1.
Franklin had earlier edged out Scotland’s Gibson to claim bronze in the individual C1 Women’s final, an impressive result having suffered with injury for most of last season, but felt she had more to give in that event.
She told British Canoeing after the individual medal: “I am really happy to be on the podium, although I feel I had a better run in me.
“I got a bit off-line in a few places and it was not as good as I would have liked, but I showed I have the speed.”
Gibson, meanwhile, was in celebratory mood despite missing out on an individual medal as she achieved her best ever finish in a major final.
“I am really pleased,” she said.
“There were some great bits of my run and some not so good bits and I lost time on the drop.
“It was a tough course, with some tricky technical moves and a lot of physical strength required at the bottom of the course when you were tired, which everyone found hard and even the men had a lot of penalty touches.”
Two-time time world champion David Florence failed to make the final of the Men’s C1, along with Ryan Westley, after a penalty knocked him out of contention in the semi-finals.
Joe Clarke did make the final after he qualified fifth, but a 50-second penalty at gate 11 wrecked his medal hopes.
“We have had a few ups and downs today but it was great to see Joe in his second successive European Championship final,” said head coach Paul Ratcliffe.
“I am also delighted for Mallory. She has had a terrible 18 months getting back to full fitness and to come out with a medal after what she has been through is brilliant, whilst Eilidh in her third championship final edges ever closer to the medals.”
Elsewhere, the Men’s C1 team were also on the podium after they secured bronze, but the K1 Men’s team finished fourth. Get discounted sports tickets, enter competitions, see exclusive content and much more at Team GB Club
Sportsbeat 2016