Reigning world champions Gordan Harbrecht and Kira Bester captured the respective men’s and women’s overall surfski titles at the International Canoe Federation Canoe Ocean Racing World Cup in Villajoyosa, Spain.
South Africa’s Bester was a cut above the rest in the women’s overall category as she powered to victory in 1:16:40.221 on Mediterranean waters.
Compatriot Jade Wilson was the winner of the women’s U23 crown and was Bester’s closest challenger for the overall title, placing second in 1:21:02.152.
Third place went to Spanish paddler Thais Delrieux who crossed the finish line in 1:21:37.010.
Rosie Edwards of Great Britain came fourth in 1:22:07.154, while Spain’s Chloe Bunnett clocked a time of 1:22:35.235 for a place in the top five.
Harbrecht, who made history last year when he became the first European paddler to be crowned world champion, emerged victorious in Villajoyosa.
The German athlete sealed gold in 1:06:26.320 as he got the better of Portugal’s Bernardo Pereira who won the men’s U23 title and finished second overall in 1:06:52.768.
South Africa’s Ulvard Hart bagged bronze in 1:07:07.188 as compatriot Kenneth Rice came fourth in 1:07:18.384 and France’s Pierre Vilella finished fifth in 1:07:20.741.
Known as the EuroChallenge, this year’s edition of the annual event attracted more than 230 paddlers from all over the world.
The World Cup served as a rehearsal to the 2026 ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships which will be held at the Spanish venue.
It also helped paddlers gear up for this year’s World Championships which will take place from October 17 to 19 in Durban, South Africa.
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