Canoeing: Forbes-Cryans' joy at first World Cup final spot

Roslin canoeist Bradley Forbes-Cryans was 'stoked' after reaching his first major final, while Edinburgh student Eilidh Gibson produced another fine but frustrating performance at the opening slalom World Cup of the summer in Ivrea, Italy.

Bradley Forbes-Cryans

Forbes-Cryans finished only 29th at last month’s European Championships in Slovakia but made a significant breakthrough in Italy, qualifying eighth-fastest in the K1 kayak semis before going even quicker in the final where he took sixth place. His time of 90.35secs was good enough for silver, but a clipped gate and a two-second penalty cost him dear.

Even so, he beamed: “I’m stoked to have been able to break into my first World Cup final then come away with a sixth place in a time fast enough for the podium. I’m looking forward now to getting over to Spain for World Cup 2 next weekend!”

Having finished fourth at the Euros, Gibson had a sense of ‘deja vu’ as she qualified fourth-fastest in the C1 heats and semis but then had to settle for seventh place in the final after touching two barriers. To add to her frustration, British team-mates Mallory Franklin and Kim Woods both medalled behind Australian winner Jessica Fox.

Edinburgh’s triple world champion David Florence missed Ivrea to focus on his Olympic training but will join his fellow Scots this week when the circuit moves to La Seu d’Urgell near Barcelona.