It was a good start at the Sea Forest Waterway for Canadians in canoe and kayak Wednesday night.
Three first-time Paralympians had decent performances that they’re looking to build on heading into the semifinals, Friday in Tokyo.
Brianna Hennessy, of Ottawa, took part in the Women’s Va’a Single 200m-VL2 Heat 1 and the Women’s Kayak Single 200m-KL1 Heat 2, finishing third in both with times of 1:05.608 and 59.656 respectively.
Two strong performances have her in a good position going into her semifinal races.
Hennessy’s quest continues with her Va’a VL2 semifinal on Friday morning at 9:51 a.m. JST/Thursday night 8:51 p.m. EST, then the Kayak KL1 semifinal on Saturday morning 9:30 a.m. JST/Friday night 8:30 p.m. EST.
Meanwhile, Andrea Nelson, of Markham Ont., finished third in the first heat of the Women’s Kayak Single 200m-KL2 with a time of 58.999.
After a good start and sitting in second place for the majority of the race, she fell away towards the end.
Nelson’s semifinal run will take place Saturday morning at 9:51 a.m. JST/Friday night 8:51 p.m. EST.
The final Canadian appearance saw Mathieu St-Pierre, of Shawinigan, Que., finish fifth in his Men’s Va’a Single 200m-VL2 heat with a time of 59.683.
Despite the finishing position, it was a strong showing given the quality of competition in his heat with the likes of reigning World Champion Luis Carlos Cardoso da Silva of Brazil and 2019 European Champion Igor Korobeynikov of the Russian Paralympic Committee racing alongside him.
St-Pierre’s semifinals will take place Saturday morning at 9:58 a.m. JST/Friday night 8:58 p.m. EST.