There have been many memorable moments in a sensational International Canoe Federation season. In the sixth of our moments of 2024, we look back at when Florida’s Katniss Paris powered to sprint victory at the ICF Stand Up Paddling World Championships in Sarasota.
“I truly felt like I was flying” was how Katniss Paris described when she swept to her first Stand Up Paddling world title.
Competing in her home state of Florida, it could not have been a perfect place to mark her ICF SUP World Championships debut with gold.
It was also an historic gold as it was the first time the women’s sprint final had been contested over 100m having previously been a 200m race.
For the hosts, there was plenty of home interest in the women’s sprint with Paris, Sey Chelle, Maddie Miller and Kaitlyn McElroy in the final.
Chelle was out to defend her crown having triumphed over 200m 12 months ago but there was no stopping Paris over 100m.
Paris proved too quick for the rest of the field in the shorter distance as she crossed the finish line in 28.32, beating Chelle by 0.38 and third-placed Alba Alonso Fray of Spain by 0.91.
Immediately after the race, Paris revealed that there were doubts over whether she would even make the start line.
“This is surreal,” said Paris.
“I am lost for words.
“I wanted to win this but after yesterday I wasn’t sure.
“I had an asthma attack during the technical race, so I wasn’t sure if I was even going to be able to compete.
“Now I have won, and I can’t believe it.
“I was nervous coming in here as this is my first time doing a World Championships and I was up against all these great women that I have looked up to for years so I can’t believe I am here now.”
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While Paris powers through the water, her thoughts stop and everything around her goes quiet.
Paris said the crowd and competitors disappear and the “blissful electricity takes over”.
“What a moment,” said Paris in a post on Instagram.
“I won’t ever forget the limitless feeling I had in this final.
“I was just me, the water and the open course ahead.
“I truly felt like I was flying, I didn’t want to stop paddling at the finish.
“I enjoyed every millisecond of this race, and the result couldn’t have been more perfect.”
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