ICF Canoe Slalom Committee activities Q2 2025

ICF World Cup Series: La Seu, Pau and Prague 
The 2025 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup season opened with strong momentum across three top-tier venues in La Seu d’Urgell, Spain, Pau, France and Prague, Czechia. The World Cups featured strong levels of participation with more than 40 nations entered at each competition. The new slalom race format of one heat and one final (increased from 10 to 12 boats) reduced the number of competition days from four to three – a cost saving for all stakeholders. The kayak cross individual (time trial) was included as a medal event with medal presentation in racing clothing. A short slalom created additional racing opportunities in a “double header” race programme at Prague, with an on-water “Kiss and Cry” tested for the first time.  Impacts of the new race format and other innovations provide valuable technical and performance insights for review. 

African Reference Race: Advancing Continental Development
One highlight of the series was the African Reference Race, integrated into World Cup 1 at La Seu d’Urgell. This strategic initiative supported qualification pathways and benchmarking for African nations. Special thanks to CAC General Secretary Ahmed Mahamoud Abdoulkader, ICF Vice President Lluis Rabeneda, local organiser and Committee member Merixtelle Rodriguez, and ICF Technical Manager Thomas Rosset for their coordination. 

2025 ICF Junior and U23 World Championships – Foix, France
The busiest race of the year featured 54 nations battling it out for honours in the regional French town of Foix, host of the 2010 edition of the Junior World Championships. A total of 445 athletes, 173 officials and countless spectators enjoyed the action over six days of summer on the natural waters of the River Ariège. Despite dramatic weather events and uncertain water supply, organisers, officials and teams adapted well to changing conditions, making the event a great success, to the appreciation of a supportive town and its enthusiastic fans. Bravo Team Foix and merci EDF for the water!

Two Circles: Elevating Broadcast and Fan Experience 

The introduction of Two Circles as ICF's production partner brought a significant uplift in the quality and reach of broadcast coverage at the World Cups. Key developments included: 

• Enhanced live storytelling and athlete features 
• Real-time performance graphics and data overlays 
• Modular content for digital and broadcast platforms 

Initial analytics show increased engagement and wider digital audience reach, with learnings to inform planning for the remaining World Cups in 2025 and the 2026 season. 

Technology and Innovation
TVS Cloud-Based Video Service
A major advancement this quarter was the successful testing of the new TVS (Team Video Service) cloud platform. Pilots conducted during the early World Cups enabled users to access competition footage remotely in near real-time. Full deployment is targeted for the World Championships in Sydney. 

Global Equipment Survey
An online equipment and material survey was launched (closing in July) to collect comprehensive data from National Federations. This initiative will inform future policies on equipment homologation, safety standards, and innovation in both slalom and kayak cross. The survey outputs will be analysed with findings to be shared with NFs and teams. 

Kayak Cross: Research and Forum Planning
Research into next generation modular obstacles for kayak cross has continued, with early-stage testing of prototypes scheduled later this season. The focus remains on enhanced safety, visibility, and cost-effective transportability. 
A Kayak Cross Forum is proposed in Huningue, France in November 2025, in collaboration with the Swiss Canoe Federation, bringing together athletes, coaches, technical officials, and developers to share insights and help shape the evolution of the relatively new event. More details to follow at World Cup 5. 

Oklahoma City: Progress Towards 2026 World Championships
Engagement with Riversport OKC continues as preparations ramp up for the 2026 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships and the Olympic Games LA28. Key developments this quarter: 

• Hydrostadium and OKC confirmed the delivery schedule for the venue upgrades, including start zone engineering, new obstacle and gate systems, and course tuning. 
• Construction works are scheduled to commence in September 2025 and conclude by February 2026 in time for the ICF Ranking Race in March. 
• OKC’s broader infrastructure and Olympic legacy planning needs are being integrated with city development priorities.  

Baku, Azerbaijan: New Venue Concept
The ICF is supporting the early-stage concept and technical brief for a proposed new whitewater venue in Baku. Engagement with city authorities and sport stakeholders continues, with the aim of aligning the project with ICF standards for international training and competition use, as well as urban and tourism development. 

Sydney 2025: Operational Progress and Legacy Planning
Strong momentum continues on all fronts for the ICF Slalom World Championships in Sydney, to be held from September 29 to October 4: 

• Legacy Impact Programme in collaboration with Griffith University is now underway, with baseline measurement surveys and workshops completed.  
• A Schools Excursion and Education Programme will be launched at the venue with the Australian Olympic Committee 
• A global sports presentation company has been signed to create the atmosphere and fan experience at the Whitewater Stadium 
• Details on the ICF website and www.Sydney2025.com 

Olympic Qualification System (OQS)
The ICF Working Group is on track to share the OQS framework for slalom with National Federations before the end of the World Cup season.

A Big Thank You!
Behind every race is an organising team, including many volunteers, International Technical Officials (ITOs), contractors and service suppliers. As we pass the midpoint of the 2025 season it is time for me to thank this collective workforce for bringing outstanding racing opportunities to the teams and athletes, so far this season. Keep up the good work, we need you in the second half!

By Richard Fox, Chair of the ICF Canoe Slalom Committee