Franklin wins three medals at European championships

Olympic medallist Mallory Franklin concluded her return to canoeing with three medals at the Paddle Europe Slalom Championships in Ivrea. The 32-year-old achieved gold in the C1 event, crossing the finish line with a flawless run of 100.47 seconds, narrowly beating France's Doriane Delassus by 0.03 seconds. This victory marked Franklin's first individual medal since the birth of her daughter.

Franklin reflected on the significance of the win, stating, "It's a really nice way to end the year. It's been a tough one coming back and getting back on the start line." She continued, "I've been building throughout the year and it's just a nice way to finish it."

Franklin's second medal of the event was a silver in the kayak cross under the floodlights, following a challenging battle in the knockout rounds. The Czech Republic's Tereza Kneblova secured the gold. Great Britain's success continued on the final day with Kimberley Woods winning gold in the kayak cross individual event, followed by a bronze for the men's K1 team event involving Ben Haylett, Sam Leaver, and Joe Clarke.

Woods' victory was followed by Franklin's and Ellis Miller's bronze in the women's C1 event. In the men's events, Clarke and Leaver narrowly missed out on the podium, finishing fifth and sixth respectively behind Czech winner Jakub Krejci.