There were no big surprises on the opening day in Abu Dhabi as the sprint stars advanced at the 2025 International Canoe Federation Stand Up Paddling World Championships.
Temperatures rose on a sizzling day in the Emirati capital city as paddlers looked to put down a marker in the opening stages of the men’s and women’s sprint competitions.
The biggest names in the sprint category managed to handle the heat as they made swift progress to the semi-finals.
Bulgaria’s Andrii Kraitor launched his title defence by topping his heat and quarter-finals in times of 25.69 and 26.00.
Click here for live startlists and results from Abu Dhabi
“I feel super happy to be able to compete and go for the world title here,” said Kraitor.
“It’s such an interesting location for us which is really nice.
“I feel prepared and ready to deliver.
“The conditions were different to the previous day as it was a little bit choppy out there but it’s an outdoor sport and it’s the same for everyone, so you have to be ready for everything.”
Kraitor was not the quickest on the day as Spain’s Sergio Cantoral Quirant put down an impressive time of 25.03 in the heats.
Lithuania’s Vadim Korobov also dipped under 26 seconds, finishing in 25.68 in the last quarter-final, while South Africa’s Cameron Tripney bettered his time from the heats by clocking 25.82 to advance to the semi-finals.
The women’s sprint was also hotly contested with the medallists from last year’s World Champiosnhips looking in fine form.
Sey Chelle got the better of title holder and fellow United States paddler Katniss Paris when they lined up against each other in the first quarter-final.
The 2023 champion powered across the finish line in 32.72 as Paris came third in 33.64 behind Poland’s Marta Apanasewicz who impressed with a time of 33.53.
Puerto Rico’s Mariecarmen Rivera topped her quarter-final, sealing top spot in 32.77, while Spain’s Alba Alonso Frey, who earned bronze in 2024, cruised through to the semi-finals in 33.04.
Full coverage of the ICF SUP World Championships can be viewed on the Planet Canoe YouTube channel.
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