Paddlers Scott Martlew and Peter Cowan will be the final Kiwis to compete at the Paris Paralympics, when they contest the semis and finals of the VL3 va'a 200 at Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium.
The va'a is a form of outrigger canoe propelled by a single-blade paddle.
Cowan finished second in his heat, behind Aussie defending champion Curtis McGrath, with only the winners progressing directly to the final. His time of 50.17s was the fourth fastest of the preliminaries and he finished second at this year's world championships, so he looms as an outside medal chance.
Martlew admits his KL2 kayak event was his main focus at Paris and doesn't hold out much hope of success in the va'a.
The first three in each semi will advance to the A final, while the rest will contest the B final. Martlew and Cowan are both in the second of the two races.
The Kiwi athlete stormed to victory over 200 metres. (Source: TVNZ)
Monday morning, the NZ team — or those still in Paris — will take part in the closing ceremony at Stade de France, with a flagbearer to be named overnight. Swimmer Cameron Leslie and athlete Anna Grimaldi led the Kiwis at the opening ceremony, and Grimaldi is the only one to emerge from these Games with gold over 200 metres.
Paralympians in action — Sunday, September 8
8.56pm
Kayaking: Scott Martlew and Peter Cowan in Men's VL3 200m semis at Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium
10.33pm
Kayaking: Men's VL3 200m finals (Martlew & Cowan) at Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium
Monday September 9
6am
Closing ceremony at Stade de France
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