TEN THINGS WE LEARNED AFTER THE OPENING ICF CANOE SPRINT AND PARACANOE WORLD CUP OF THE SEASON.

  1. The race for qualification in both the men’s and women’s K4 events is wide open. Some teams experimented in Szeged, while China in the women and Lithuania in the men showed the traditional powerhouses are set to be challenged.
  2. Some of the stronger nations have a lot of work to do before Duisburg. It is a long time since we have had an event where Germany did not win a single gold medal. The team has been hit hard by injuries and illness, so we can expect a much better showing at home in August.
  3. It once used to be the Hungarian women who were the strength of this canoe-proud nation. But in Szeged they did not win a single gold medal, while the Hungarian men won three of the four Olympic races on offer.
  4. Great Britain is still the most powerful paracanoe nation on the planet. It was well served in both the men’s and women’s events.
  5. Champions are still champions. Lisa Carrington, the Chinese women’s C2, Catalin Chirela, Charlotte Henshaw, Curtis McGrath and Emma Wiggs were among those who mastered the tough racing conditions.
  6. Five portages is a difficult challenge in the 5k races, but those who could portage well got good results.
  7. Algeria made history with its first ever paracanoe medal. Brahim Guendouz finished third in the men’s KL3.
  8. Mixed K2 and C2 races continue to grow in popularity.
  9. It doesn’t matter where on this great canoeing planet you are, when the cold winds rip through it makes life very difficult for everyone.
  10. And finally, there are lots of great signs confirming the continued growth globally of our sport. Venezuala, Egypt and Iraq were among the nations who added excitement to a great weekend od racing.

Pics by Bence Vekassy

Great Britain paracanoe Gordon Henshaw

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