Etienne Stott: Family overjoyed at canoe slalom gold

The family of gold medal-winner Etienne Stott have spoken of their joy at his victory in the canoe slalom.

Stott, from Bedford, and Tim Baillie, from Nottingham, claimed Britain's first ever Olympic gold in the C2 category at Lee Valley.

Georgie Preston, Stott's girlfriend, said: "It's been an incredible day. Tim and Etienne deserve this, it's the proudest moment of my life."

She added: "I've seen him very briefly - but he's too busy kissing his medal."

Stott learned to paddle on the River Great Ouse with St Andrews Scouts. He developed his slalom skills with the Viking Kayak Club.

'Over the moon'

"When we knew they'd got a bronze it was relief, but when they boys got gold - we went mental," enthused Ms Preston.

Cousin Keredy Stott, from Northampton, watched the final with colleagues on her computer at work.

Etienne Stott claims Olympic gold for Team GB in the canoe slalom

She said: "We were on the edge of our seats. I can't remember the last time I was so excited about something.

"I feel like one of those people who wins something and then can't talk about it.

"We all crowded around my desk to watch it online, it was so exciting watching it with other people.

"We're so happy for him - even though we knew he had a really good chance of coming home with a medal it didn't sink in until it was said that he'd won a gold."

As well as being an Olympic canoeist, Stott, who has a degree in engineering, is studying to become a psychologist.

Speaking to the BBC at the Lee Valley White Water Course, he said: "It is weird, it doesn't seem like that is what could be happening.

"This morning we didn't know what could happen. It could have been a disaster and now it is a complete dream."

Ms Stott said if she could see her cousin she would tell him "we all had faith".

"It's so fantastic to see so many years of hard work have paid off.

"All my friends and colleagues who don't event know him are so proud.

"It's brilliant, we're over the moon."