Alicia Hoskin
 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | New Zealand |
| Born | 6 February 2000 Gisborne, New Zealand |
| Height | 1.63 m (5 ft 4 in) |
| Sport | |
| Country | New Zealand |
| Sport | Sprint kayak |
| Club | North Shore Canoe Club |
| Partner | Elliot Snedden |
| Coached by | Gordon Walker |
Alicia Hoskin(born 6 February 2000) is a New Zealandflatwater canoeist.
Early life[edit]
Born and raised inGisborne,she attendedGisborne Girls High Schoolwhere she was the Head Girl (2018). A member of the Poverty Bay Kayak Club there, she was coached by 1984 Olympic sprint canoeistLiz Thompson.She attendedMassey Universitystudying Sport Development.
Canoeing[edit]
Hoskin was selected for thejunior canoe sprint world championshipsin 2017 when, as a 17-year-old, she underwent what was initially thought to be a routine pre-departure health check. Unfortunately, cardiology tests revealedWolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome,which is present at birth and can cause rapid heartbeats and even heart failure. Hoskin required a cardiac ablation, a procedure that scars tissue in the heart to block abnormal electrical signals. It involved feeding a catheter up one of the veins in her leg and through the wall of her heart to the other side.[1][2]
Hoskin wanted to continue to compete internationally after the heart surgery and moved toAucklandto train with the Canoe Racing New Zealand high performance squad. Hoskin made her World Championship debut inSzegedinHungary,finishing ninth withCaitlin Ryanat the2019 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships – Women's K-2 500 metres.
In June 2021 Hoskin was one of four women's paddlers selected to the New Zealand team to compete in Tokyo for the delayed2020 Summer Games,[3][4][5]placing 14th in the K2 500m, alongsideTeneale Hattonand 4th in the K4 500m, alongside Hatton,Lisa Carrington,andCaitlin Regal.
At the 2023 Canoe Sprint World Championships in Duisburg, Hoskin won a gold medal in the K‑4 500 metres withLisa Carrington,Olivia Brett and Tara Vaughan. This was a historic win for New Zealand[6]and the sport of canoe sprint, being the first ever time the K4 500 world title had been won by a country outside of the traditional European powerhouses.
In April 2024 Hoskin was named[7]inNew Zealands largest ever canoe sprint teamfor the Paris Olympics.
Awards and honours[edit]
Hoskin was named Canoe Sprint Athlete of the Year at the Canoe Racing New Zealand 2020 Sport and Recognition Awards.
References[edit]
- ^Guy, Barry (13 August 2020)."Alicia Hoskin: From heart surgery to Olympic hopeful".Radio New Zealand.
- ^"Young canoe sprinter realises Olympic dream after overcoming career-threatening illness".TVNZ.Retrieved6 July2021.
- ^France, Marvin (6 June 2021)."'Fuelled the fire': Alicia Hoskin's journey from heart surgery to Olympian ".Stuff.Retrieved2 July2021.
- ^Malcolm, Jack."TOKYO BOUND: Gisborne's Alicia Hoskin named in K4 crew for Tokyo Games".www.gisborneherald.co.nz.Retrieved6 July2021.
- ^"NZOC unveil women's canoe sprint team for Tokyo | CRNZ | Sprint, Surf Ski & Marathon".CRNZ.3 June 2021.Retrieved6 July2021.
- ^"Historic victory for Women's K4 as they claim World Championship crown".RNZ.26 August 2023.Retrieved11 May2024.
- ^"New Zealand Names Largest Ever Women's Canoe Sprint Team for Olympic Games".New Zealand Olympic Team.24 April 2024.Retrieved11 May2024.
