Pair team up and overcome challenges to win outrigger world sprint titles

“No matter what happens in life, you’ve got to pick yourself up.” These remarkable women have overcome enormous challenges to conquer the world’s best.

Ali France and Alison Mosely have just claimed gold at the Outrigging World Sprint Championships on the Sunshine Coast — Picture: Richard Walker

WITH each stroke of the paddle, Ashgrove’s Allison France is erasing the painful memories of the day that changed her life forever.

Earlier this month, France, 42, completed a ­remarkable journey to the top of her sport with victory at the Outrigger Canoe World Sprint Championships, almost five years to the day since losing her left leg.

France was waiting for a lift with her four-year-old son in the carpark of Ashgrove’s Highpoint Plaza in May 2011 when an elderly man lost control of his car, pinning the mother of two’s leg between two vehicles.

Her left leg was amputated and she was unable to walk for more than two years after numerous operations.

But in late 2013, she found comfort in a new pursuit — outrigger canoeing.

France and Red Hill’s Alison Mosely were competing at their first world championships on May 8-9 when they claimed gold as members of the Australian No Limits team in the V12 (12-person) 500m sprint in the paracanoe category.

Ali France has just claimed gold at the Outrigging World Sprint Championships on the Sunshine Coast — Picture: Richard Walker

France also tasted victory in the V6 500m, while Mosely, who broke her back in a car accident 25 years ago, helped the team win the V6 1000m.

“It’s been a long road,” France said.

“(Canoeing) is very therapeutic. It’s given me a focus and something to aim for. It focuses your mind more on what you can do instead of what you can’t do.

“I’ve been training so hard because I wanted to teach my two sons that no matter what happens in life, you’ve got to pick yourself up and strive to be the best person you can be.

“The last five years has been a real struggle for me and my family and it’s only been the last six months I’ve felt at ease with my body and my future. This sport has helped me do that.

“When something like (the accident) happens you want to get back to your old life and it takes a lot to change your mindset.

“Now I’m happy with my life.”

Mosely, a three-time Paralympian in wheelchair basketball, said she hoped the success of the Australian No Limits team would inspire others to chase their dreams.

“Hopefully Australia will have representatives (at the 2018 world titles) in Tahiti and the sport will continue to grow,” Mosely said.