TALENTED kayaker Gabrielle Ridge has enjoyed a silver lining to her remarkable British summer, after a frantic few weeks representing Team GB across Europe.

The 20-year-old former Dyffryn Taf pupil came away from Bratislava, Slovakia, with a coveted team silver medal to her name after competing in the World Junior and U23 Championships.

Prior to the event, Gabrielle had represented Wales at a variety of different age groups, but this was her first time in GB colours.

In the individual K1W U23 category, she qualified in the top 25 for the semi finals, but then was cruelly eliminated after being given a 50-second penalty for missing a gate whilst navigating her way through the course.

"It swang up and around me as I was going through," she told Telegraph Sport.

"So although I still went through it was penalised for deliberate displacement. It was unfortunate as it cost me a top 15 place."

Despite her dissapointment, Gabrielle still hailed a 'fantastic' experience, although admitted to more nerves than usual at the start line.

"The build up before an international event race is totally different.

"There is definitely more pressure and a totally different atmosphere. I was nervous but at the same time felt a real buzz."

And she carried that 'buzz' into the team event, where she joined Kimberley Woods and Mallory Franklin in the GB trio, who had to navigate their way through the course together at the same time.

The team lay sixth heading into the final, and despite an early mistake in their last run, recovered brilliantly to fight their way into third.

But third soon became second, after Slovakia were forced out of the medal positions due to a retrospective penalty, meaning Gabrielle and co took silver behind Czech Republic, with Australia third.

"We made the early error but we kept fighting and kept going," said a delighted Gabrielle.

"And then to come away with a medal in my first event for Team GB felt amazing.

"So many people were congratulating us. Many great kayakers represent GB for long periods and yet never get a medal so it was a special feeling."

And yet, there was little time for her to enjoy her success, as after a brief spell back home in Narberth, she went to Hohenlimburg, Germany, for the European Junior and U23 Championships.

Again, luck was not with Gabrielle, with the top 15 qualifying for the latter stages from the first run, she appeared to finish 14th only to be knocked back four spaces for a two second penalty for knocking a gate - and then fell short in her second qualifying run.

"I was disappointed not to make the semi finals as I felt I was capable of it," she admitted.

"But like Slovakia, I learnt a lot from the experience.

"Now I've been there and done it I won't be so nervous next time around. I think I was trying to push too hard and take too many risks but it was a great learning curve."

But yet again, Gabrielle has little time for reflection, as this weekend she travels to the Senior World Cup 4 in Ivrea, Italy.

It means a British debut at both U23 and senior level will fall just weeks apart.

"My qualifying time was good enough to be selected and when the opportunity arose to go with the squad, no one needed to ask me twice.

"It's a course I'm familiar with so I'm good to go."

Gabrielle and her teammates will fly from their training base in Nottingham on Sunday.