WORCESTERSHIRE'S Lucy Wainwright showed her grit after a sluggish start left her trailing in the wake of eventual winner Inna Osypenko-Radomska, from Ukraine, and South Africa’s Jennifer Hodson in the women's K1 500m semi-finals.
Down in fifth pace by the half-way stage, Wainwright, a member of Fladbury Canoe Club, produced a blazing second 250m to come through in second place in a time of 1:52.580, more than half a second ahead of Hodson in third.
“I didn’t get a good start again, but then I just kept flooring it all the way to the line,” said the Kidderminster girl.
“It’s really quite tough out there. I guess I came here to make the finals but there’s so many great girls out there.
“I put pressure on myself because I made the finals in Athens (where she finished seventh), but if I can nail my start then who knows where I could finish?" added Wainwright.
“I’m paddling really well at the moment, but all the other girls seem to be going much faster too.”
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