Gold medalist Lisa Carrington of New Zealand. Photo: Iain McGregor / www.photosport.nz
New Zealand's most successful Olympian Dame Lisa Carrington won't compete on the Kayak World Cup circuit this year.
Dame Lisa's name has been left out of the 13-paddler squad named for the series in Europe.
Earlier this year she indicated that she does intend to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Earlier this year she indicated that she does intend to compete at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Carrington is training fully but has decided to not compete on the international stage in 2025.
"Lisa has opted not to travel with the team in 2025, making this year look a little different from previous ones," Canoe Racing New Zealand said in a statement.
"She's back to full training and enjoying the added flexibility in her schedule.
"The plan is to return to international competition next year, with her sights firmly set on LA 2028.
"In the meantime, she's fully behind the team as they compete in this month's World Cups and is excited to see how they perform."
Carrington won three gold medals in Paris last year to take her Olympic gold medal haul to eight.
Aimee Fisher, who finished fourth in the K1 final in Paris last year, is in the squad for the ICF Canoe Sprint World Cups in Szeged, Hungary and Poznan, Poland.
The other members of the Olympic champion K4 crew are also included: Alicia Hoskin, Olivia Brett and Tara Vaughan.
New Zealand sprint kayak squad
Aimee Fisher, Hawke's Bay Kayak Racing Club
Alicia Hoskin, North Shore Canoe Club
Finn Murphy, North Shore Canoe Club (Paracanoe)
Grant Clancy, North Shore Canoe Club
Hamish Legarth, Hawke's Bay Kayak Racing Club
James Munro, Otago Kayak Racing Club
James Scott, North Shore Canoe Club
Kacey Ngataki, North Shore Canoe Club
Kalani Gilbertson, North Shore Canoe Club
Lucy Matehaere, Otago Kayak Racing Club
Olivia Brett, Arawa Canoe Club
Quaid Thompson, Poverty Bay Kayak Club
Tara Vaughan, North Shore Canoe Club
Szeged Canoe Sprint World Cup on 16-18 May
Poznan Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Cup on 22-25 May.
