European Championships marks crossroads for Maddy Anderson's career

By Tom Harle, Sportsbeat

Maddy Anderson believes the European Championships marks a crossroads in her career.

The 28-year-old missed out on Olympic selection in the Formula Kite class, with European champion Ellie Aldridge getting the nod for Paris 2024.

Aldridge won a fierce battle for the one Team GB place with Anderson among a powerful squad of British women who all finished in the top 10 at the 2023 World Championships.

Anderson admits it has taken time to recover from the intense selection race and that she is still summoning the spark to push forward to the next Games, LA 2028.

“There’s no denying it’s been quite hard,” said Anderson. “I’ve not been in this situation before and it suddenly takes a lot of internal drive to look at the bigger picture.

“Everyone is experiencing this slightly differently. We all know each other so well, we’re all aware of where each other is at in terms of the motivation and the drive that everyone is bringing to the table at this point.

“I’m 100% pushing for Ellie to bring back an Olympic gold medal. There is an ever-present pride in the squad we’ve built and we know without doubt we are the strongest kiting female squad in the world. That remains with me.

“I’m still trying to find my feet a bit in terms of looking forward to 2028. I’ve got some work to do to really find the motivation I need to create a successful campaign moving forward.

“I’m not putting too much pressure on myself. I’m capable of doing myself proud at these Europeans but I’m aware it’s another long road to the Games and I need to find the right balance.”

Anderson, Aldridge, Lily Young and Katie Dabson embarked on a gruelling winter training programme at venues across the globe, including long stretches in Mexico and Fuerteventura.

The Europeans in Mar Menor, off the east coast of Spain by La Manga, marks their first big competition of Olympic year.

Rivals from other nations are still fighting for spots on the start line at Marseille Marina and Paris 2024, where the Formula Kite class will make its Olympic debut, meaning an intriguing week of racing awaits.

The World Championships in Hyeres, France follow in May.

“It’s a good opportunity to perform on the global stage,” said Anderson. “Given the timings before Worlds, which is always the pinnacle, it’s an exciting and useful opportunity to put into practice the work I’ve done over the winter.

“This year, even though I’m not going to the Games, it’s an incredibly exciting time for the sport. The fact that this is the first Olympic year for kiting, still to be at that top level, amongst athletes going.

“The Games provide energy, everyone’s bringing their A-game. What a special opportunity to be able to compete in that environment. There’s all sorts of internal selections still going on and tensions will be high, for sure. No-one will leave an inch on the racecourse.

“We can fairly objectively watch all of this unfold and quietly take note of what's working and not working to bring forward to my next campaign.”

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