In one week, Olympic and world champions will assemble in the quaint town of La Seu d’Urgell, Spain, to kickstart their 2025 International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Cup Series journey.
It will also mark the beginning of the road to the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028. As kayak cross debuted at the Olympic Games Paris 2024, the ICF was praised for its attention to novelty and innovation. It is no different as the new season gets underway.
One heat to rule them all
Look, if you had one shot or one opportunity to seize everything you ever wanted in one moment, would you capture it or let it slip? As Eminem famously rapped, this will be the case for athletes in canoe and kayak. With one heat run, there is no margin for error and only 12 get to the finals directly. While our athletes are world-class, it is sure to keep them on their toes.
Individual kayak cross
Everyone loves the podium. There is motivation in the form of more medals this year thanks to the individual kayak cross. Replacing the usual time trials, athletes will now have an opportunity to advance to the elimination phase and win individual medals.
Improved graphics and coverage
For those at home, we have not forgotten about you. Whether it is friends and family or fans, the new graphics with a side bar will make way for an improved viewer experience. There will also be a sensational commentary team providing great insights throughout the competition for those new to the sport. If that is not enough, watch out for the 26-minute highlights package, interviews, and other bonus content.
New but familiar venues
A change of scenery is always welcomed. Pau in France and Tacen in Slovenia will replace Ivrea in Italy and Krakow in Poland this year. Pau will host the second of the five-part series, and Tacen will stage the fourth. While Augsburg opened the show in 2024, they have been selected to host the ICF World Cup Final this year, marking the first time the German city will do so since 2014.
Stars on the rise
The reigning World Cup Series champions Jessica Fox of Australia, Matej Benus of Slovakia, Ricarda Funk of Germany, Anatole Delassus of France and Great Britain's Kimberley Woods and Joseph Clarke will give it their all to defend their crowns but the new and young kids on the block will not make it easy. Teenage sensation Ziga Lin Hocevar of Slovenia showed signs of that in the race for the men's C1 title with Benus last year. The ranking races held across Europe have also hinted at some new stars that could provide a surprise. The battle between Xabier Ferrazzi and fellow countryman and Olympic champion Giovanni de Gennaro will be juicy. Fresh from the European triumph, Monica Doria of Andorra and Miquel Trave of Spain will hope to continue their form while Ana Satila of Brazil will hope to remove the near misses from last year from her fortunes. Evy Leibfarth of the United States will also eye to add to her Olympic medal.
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