Pelly Vincent-Braun made Yukon history last week, becoming the first whitewater paddler to crack Canada’s national junior slalom roster.

In his final run of Friday’s competition in Barry’s Bay, Ont., the 15-year-old put together a clean run through the 18-gate course in a time of 1:18 – a full 15 seconds faster than any of his previous runs.

The performance earned him a roster spot on the Canadian national junior slalom team and the opportunity to paddle for Team Canada at the junior world championships in Brazil next April.

The young paddler was unavailable for comment after setting off on a nine-day cycling trip upon his return to Whitehorse.

However, his father Trevor Braun said the solo canoeist made the most of his opportunity Friday.

“In the morning, we were kind of thinking that he wasn’t going to make the team,” said Braun, a coach with the Yukon Canoe and Kayak Club. “He had to make a certain percentage of the top junior boats, and he hadn’t made percentage in any of his other three races. He wasn’t even close.”

With his national team aspirations fading, Vincent-Braun played a hunch Thursday night, moving from his tent to a bunkhouse, where he got a good night’s rest.

Organizers altered the course route for the final day of the national whitewater championships, and Vincent-Braun got off to a strong start, touching only the last gate in his first run.

His second run was clean.

“He was the only C-1 competitor that didn’t touch any gates,” his father said.

Vincent-Braun was one of three juniors named to the Canadian C-1 slalom contingent.

“We don’t know the total commitment yet, but we will definitely be looking at getting him out to Charlotte, N.C., the national training centre in the U.S.,” said Braun.

“They do some training camps throughout the winter.”

In the past, Yukon paddlers have made the national freestyle team, but never slalom.

“We’ve been working hard at it,” Braun said. “Pelly just put it all together on his last run, which is really nice to see. He’s just really passionate about paddling ... he loves to paddle, so it’s great to see him achieve success and pull things together.”

Vincent-Braun was joined by the Provonost siblings – Mael and Luanda – at the national championships last week.

All three Yukon competitors won gold medals at the four-day event.

Vincent-Braun went on to compete in a Canada Cup freestyle event, but failed to crack that national roster.