Loughton pair David Florence and Richard Hounslow picked up a gold medal for the British Canoe Slalom Team at the European Championships this weekend.

It was a successful start to the international season in Augsburg, Germany, ahead of the ICF World Cup in Cardiff next month.

The Olympic duo had set the pace in the semi-final and qualifying of the Canoe Double (C2) but had to up their game in the final, with the leaders as they took to the water having gone four seconds quicker than their earlier time.

An immense effort saw them cross the line quicker than in the semi finals but still a second short of a medal position, leaving the duo with a fourth place finish.

However, they were not to be denied in the C2M Teams, joining forces with four others to lead the British side to the gold medal ahead of Czech Republic and Germany.

Hounslow said: “It was a little unfortunate to just miss out on a medal in the C2 individual. We had a good run but just lost time in the last upstream which cost us a medal.

“The racing has left us confident for the summer, we have plenty of time before the Games with three world cup races to go and racing on home water, we are confident we can get up on the podium.

“The team race was great, it was the first race we have all done together, but we knew with such a tough course there would be mistakes, so we created a solid plan, stuck to it and executed it well, which was enough to top the podium.”

Also in action was Highams Park competitor - and fellow Olympic qualifier – Lizzie Neave.

The Newcastle-Under-Lyme-born athlete finished tenth in the Women’s Kayak Single (K1), while compatriot Fiona Pennie claimed bronze, finishing just 0.1 seconds off the gold.

The British team will now turn their attention to the Cardiff meet between 8-10 June.

All five of the Olympic squad will be present for the last event they will undertake on home soil before the Games begin at the Lee Valley White Water Centre in July.

Olympic silver medallist Florence said: “To have a World Cup in our home country is huge for the sport and especially with it being in the build up to London 2012.

“I’m really looking forward to racing at the Cardiff International White Water next month.”

Tickets for the World Cup in Cardiff are on sale at www.canoecardiff2012.com.