2018 Laurence Vincent-Lapointe - Canada

Laurence Vicent-Lapointe  (Canada) - Nominee for the 2018 Sportswoman of the Year Award

Born: 1992, Represents: Canada, Sport: Canoe Sprint

Major Results:

• 2018: Gold C1 200m, Gold C1 5000m, Gold C2 500m World Championships, Montemor-o-Velho, Portugal
• 2017: Gold C1 200m, C2 500m World Championships, Racice
• 2015: Gold C1W 200m Pan American Games, Toronto

Laurence Vincent-Lapointe is arguably one of the most accomplished female sprint canoeists in the world. With a staggering 13 international titles already under her belt, the 26-year-old from Quebec, Canada has become an inspiration to female canoeists around the world.

After taking up canoeing as a 12-year-old, Laurence always dreamt of being at the pinnacle of the sport and one day representing Canada at the Olympics. Her first world championship gold medal came in 2010 where she secured wins in the women's C1 200m and C2 500m. After not being on the podium since the 2015 Pan American Games in Toronto, Laurence returned to the top of the world championship podium in 2017, winning C-1 200m gold and C-2 500m gold with Katie Vincent. At the first World Cup of the 2018 season, Laurence set another C-1 200m world record with a time of 44.504. She and Vincent also put their names on the C-2 500m world record with a time of 1:53.513. And at the 2018 World Championships in in Montemor-o-Velho, Portugal, she made it a golden hat trick, winning the C1 2002, the C1 5000m and the C2 500m (again with Katie Vincent).

As a figurehead for women’s canoeing, Laurence was an outspoken advocate for female Canoeing to be included in the Olympic program, something which believes is long overdue. Now its inclusion has been finalized, she has her eyes firmly set on these Games and will be doing everything to ensure she is ready when it's her turn to line up on the world's biggest stage.

To all who know her Laurence Vincent-Lapointe is a bright and bubbly person but there is no mistaking her grit, motivation and professionalism as she strives for excellence to reach her ultimate competitive goals. She has been nominated for 'Sportswoman of the Year' because of her sustained outstanding results and, moreso, for her contribution to the paddlesports community as a courageous athlete advocate for equality.