The Co-operative Motor Group Supports Helen’s Olympic Bid

International canoeist Helen Barnes will be making her bid for the Beijing Olympics in a state-of-the-art canoe sponsored by her local The Co-operative Motor Group showroom in Derby.

Helen, currently Ireland's number one female slalom canoeist and ranked fifth in Great Britain, will use the new canoe branded with The Co-operative Motor Group Fiat logos to represent Ireland in the European Championships, the first Olympic selections which will be held in Poland at the end of May.

The £1,000 piece of imported kit will then make an appearance in a further three World Cup races in Slovenia, Czech Republic and Germany to be held in June. Helen will have to finish the highest Irish woman in two out of three of the World Cup races to qualify for the Olympics.

Helen, who hails from Ripley and combines work as a Primary School teacher with her canoe training said she was very grateful for the sponsorship, without which she would not be able to keep up with standards of equipment used by other international competitors.

“Canoes are easily damaged and every repair adds weight to the fabric of the canoe, so ideally they need replacing every eight months to remain competitive,” said Helen.

“Now I can compete in the Olympic selection races equipped with a brilliant, light canoe the rest is down to my personal fitness. It's my dream to race in Beijing, and with the support of wonderful sponsors like The Co-operative Motor Group, I am confident I can make it!”

Helen, who holds the world record for the fastest time to complete 100 ‘eskimo rolls’ in a kayak, missed qualifying for the Olympics in September when she damaged her canoe at the World Championships in Brazil, so Poland is her last chance to make the grade.

She recently returned to full training of two sessions, six days a week and, has now flown out to Australia for eight weeks of warm weather training before returning in time for the Ireland team selections.

Frank Worboys, dealer principal for The Co-operative Motor Group Fiat at Sir Frank Whittle Road, Derby, said: "Helen is an outstanding sportswoman and we are very proud to be associated with her. We wish her every success in her bid to compete in the Olympic Games. She is a marvellous ambassador for Derbyshire and for The Co-operative Motor Group Fiat."

Last year The Co-operative Motor Group provided Helen with a Fiat Sedici 4x4 sports utility vehicle (SUV) as well as a  branded canoe, paddles and helmet.

The Co-operative Motor Group has 21 dealerships across Yorkshire, Lancashire and the Midlands, including five in Sir Frank Whittle Road, Derby and two at Ilkeston.