After lengthy and painstaking deliberations, the International Canoe Federation has awarded the inaugural “Design the Gate” slalom competition to a team from Italy which included 2012 Olympic C2 athlete, Pietro Camporesi.

The ICF called on fans, athletes, coaches, National Federations and compaines to come up with a new slalom gate design that would allow the watching audience to clearly understand touches by athletes.

The winning design would also make it clear to the audience when an athlete has touched a gate, which results in a two-second penalty during competition. Designers could submit either a mechanical or electronic gate, as long as it was usable in all levels of canoe slalom competition.

The ICF is constantly looking at ways to improve the experience for canoe slalom fans, and believes the design submitted by the Italian group would bring a new viewing dimension.

Camporesi, who also holds a degree in sports science, joined with graphic designer Carlo Bergonzini and product engineer and designer, Marco Paselli, to come up with the winning concept.

The trio will receive prizemoney of 3000 EU. More than 20 entries were received, which was reduced to a shortlist of five. Judges have decided to also award prizemoney of 2500 EU to a German team based in Augsburg.

The ICF will also assist in the construction of a prototype based around the winning entry.