HALF MOON BAY, Calif., October 31, 2011—The USA Canoe/Kayak Sprint National Team finished strong at the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, earning a total of two gold medals, two bronze medals and two starting positions at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Carrie Johnson of California came away with two gold medals, in the Women’s K1 200m and 500m. Her first-place finish in the Women’s K1 500m final guarantees the U.S. team a boat quota slot in the event at the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Carrie Johnson with one of two gold medals at the 2011 Pan American Games. (Photo: Richard and Connie Hagler)
Ryan Dolan of Hawaii won the bronze medal in the Men’s K1 200m final. Because the first- and second-place finishers (from Ecuador and Argentina, respectively) had already qualified Olympic slots in other events at the 2011 Pan American Games and 2011 World Championships, the third place finisher was allowed to earn an Olympic slot.
The 2012 U.S. Olympic Team will be determined at the 2012 National Team Trials and the first stop on the 2012 World Cup circuit, so Johnson and Dolan may not necessarily be the ones who end up competing for the United States in London.
Maggie Hogan of California and Kaitlyn McElroy of Oklahoma won the bronze medal in the Women’s K2 500m, winding up the medal tally for the USA Canoe/Kayak Sprint National Team.
The 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara ended Oct. 30. The 2015 Pan American Games will be held in Toronto, Canada.
Jill K. Robinson is an award-winning journalist and adventure seeker. Follow her adventures on dangerjillrobinson.com and Twitter @dangerjr. Jill and her husband are avid kayakers and own Half Moon Bay Kayak Company.
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