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Interview with Luuka Jones (0:59) Luuka Jones talks about her first run and the improvements she needs to make to as she approaches her second run. Click here to view Luuka on TVOne.

Sport talks to Luuka Jones (4:23) Toni Street talks to Luuka Jones about her surprise selection. The 19-year old will be the first woman to represent New Zealand in the Canoe / Kayak slalom at Beijing. Click here to view Luuka on TVOne.

NZ's first female slalom paddler named Jul 3, 2008 At just 19 years of age, Luuka Jones has become the first woman to represent New Zealand at the Olympic Games in Canoe/Kayak slalom. Jones' nomination was accepted by the New Zealand Olympic Committee after she qualified for the Games at a World Cup meet at Tacen in Slovenia on 29 June 2008. She has previously secured the International Canoe Federation's Olympic spot for New Zealand at the Oceania Championships in Australia in March this year. Originally from Tauranga, Jones is now based in Nottingham (UK), the home of the United Kingdom's slalom team where she is able to train and compete with some of the world's most experienced slalom racers. New Zealand Olympic selector, Barry Maister, is delighted at Jones' selection. "Luuca's selection is exciting - Canoe/Kayak-Slalom is a thrilling sport and she's a trailblazer for us. She's a strong long-term prospect." Jones also has her sights set on the future. "For me, the sky is the limit," she said. "I've always made a total effort, even when the odds seemed entirely against me. "I never quite trying. I never felt that I didn't have a chance to win." Click here to view Luuka's interview with TV One.

Kayaking: White water slalom nationals produce tight results Tue, 25 Mar 2008 09:58p.m. White water slalom kayaking nationals were held over the weekend and it produced some incredibly close contests. White water with white hot action to match - the slalom kayak nationals enjoying the sort of climax usually reserved for athletics and horse racing. Mike Dawson: “It was quite tight today Johann Roosenburg and myself had some quite good competition. On the first run I found myself a couple of seconds down but managed to pull it in I think we were on the same second just point one of a second separating us so it was a good show down.” The win was consolation for Dawson, who recently missed out on Olympic qualification but for second placed Johann Roosenburg the nationals were the continuation of a worrying pattern. “It’s always good to win the nationals - that's the second time Mike's beaten me by less than point one of a second.” Competition was also tight between the women with Olympic hopeful Luuka Jones taking the top spot - having won the nationals the 19 year old now has her sight set on some lofty goals Luuka Jones: “Aiming to win the London Olympics in 2012 and definitely qualify for this Olympics and be competitive as well.” Luuka has already a qualified a boat for Beijing. But to book her ticket she will need to impress Olympic selectors with a top 16 finish at a World Cup event in Prague in three months time. Click here to view Luuka on TV3.

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