Emily Jackson Takes Women's Freestyle Pro World Cup Title

Emily at the Reno Whitewater Festival

Competing in her first international competition at the pro women’s level, Emily Jackson proved that this 18-year-old deserves the title of the "future of women’s kayaking” by winning gold at the recently concluded World Cup of freestyle kayaking held in Europe.

Jackson crossed the Atlantic en-route to the World Cup with an undefeated record from the entire major US comps this summer. During the three-stop, three-country event, Jackson took second - only by virtue of a tie-breaker - in Prague, Czech Republic and won Augsburg, Germany and Thun, Switzerland outright, despite relentless pressure from fellow teammate and reigning World Cup Champion Ruth Gordon of Canada who took second overall, the UK’s Fiona Jarvie who took bronze and Norway’s Marianne Saether who, though a consistent threat, didn’t finish in the medals.

"The women’s division on this tour was among the most competitive of any I’ve seen anywhere – ever!” said Jackson’s father, reigning World Champ Eric "EJ” Jackson. "I’m really proud of the young adults my kids have become and seeing Emily rise to this challenge on the international stage and take home the gold is obviously a dream that would make any dad proud.”

Jackson himself was noticeably absent at the awards ceremony in Thun. The veteran Jackson headed into the final tour stop at Thun in third place overall but finished in eighth in the semis, which locked him out of the final round of five. In his stead were two other Team JK members: Emily’s fiancée and reigning Canadian National Champ Nick Troutman took silver behind Slovakia’s Peter Csonka, while Buena Vista, Colorado’s Dustin Urban took earned bronze.

Troutman’s silver came against some heavy odds as the Canadian was trailing in fifth place overall heading into Thun. But a decisive win at the Swiss venue landed Troutman in second place. "That was a huge come-from-behind win,” said Jackson’s future father-in-law.

Meanwhile, Jackson Kayak boaters also claimed two podium spots in junior men. Throughout the European tour, Reno’s Jason Craig and Glenwood Springs, CO’s Michael "LP” Palmer and Dane Jackson pressured France’s Devred Sebastien. After all the points were tallied, it was Sebastien, gold; Craig, silver; and Palmer, bronze.

In all Jackson Kayak Star series boats had a very impressive World Cup outing, sweeping the podium in women’s and taking two of the three spots in men’s, junior men, junior women and C-1.

For a day-by-day accounting of World Cup action as well as more information about Jackson Kayak products and team members, visit JacksonKayak.com

More details at the official ICF Freestyle World Cup 2008 website

FINAL RESULTS

K1 Men

1. Peter Csonka, Slovakia
2. Nick Troutman, Canada
3. Dustin Urban, USA

K1 Women

1. Emily Jackson, USA
2. Ruth Gordon, Canada
3. Fiona Jarvie, Great Britain

K1 Junior Men

1. Sébastien Devred, France
2. Jason Craig, USA
3. Micheal Palmer, USA

K1 Junior Women

1. Sandrina Hornhardt, Germany
2. Vera Knook, Netherlands
3. Izabela Fidzinska, Poland

C1

1. Stepan Fiedler, Czech Rep.
2. Alexandre Besseau, France
3. Lee Pyke, Great Britain

OC1

1. Jeremy Blanchard, Australia
2. Toby Hüther, Germany
3. James Weir, Great Britain