MALVERN freestyle kayak star Emma Witherford just missed out on a medal at the European Canoe Association Championships.

Less than a month after returning from the 2014 ICF World Cups, the teenager was back in action in Bratislava.

It was her latest event since being selected for the Great Britain freestyle kayak team at the start of the year.

More than 150 athletes from nearly 20 countries travelled to Cunovo White Water Course on the outskirts of the Slovakian capital.

Witherford reached the finals of both the freestyle and squirt boating disciplines, qualifying second behind a former European champion in the freestyle.

The youngster, who has recently completed her GCSEs at Dyson Perrins Academy, eventually finished fourth in each final to take fourth overall.

She said: “The feature, as the rumours suggested, was shallow and very different from anything in the UK and, although it took time, we gradually adapted.

“Although disappointed, my goal was to reach the top five in freestyle, which I did not only in freestyle but also in squirt,” she said.

“I also learnt a lot throughout the competition, all of which I plan to use as I head into my final year as a junior.”

The Bratislava course is part of a dam and acts a side channel off the main River Danube.

As part of her preparations, Witherford and some of her team-mates drove to Plattling in Germany for a training camp.

With just a few smaller competitions left this season, Witherford is now focusing on selection for the 2015 World Championships in Canada.

To maximise her chances of selections, she plans to travel to Uganda over the winter to train on the River Nile, considered to be the best wave destination in the world.

She is looking for sponsorship to help aid her kayaking development and reach her goal of becoming world junior freestyle champion.