While athletes have been testing themselves at many International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom World Ranking races, the Parc Olimpic del Segre is where the world's best begin their quest for Olympic glory in Los Angeles in 2028.
After hosting the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup Final in September last year, the Catalonian town of La Seu d'Urgell is gearing up to start the season one month from now.
The limited time to prepare for the season opener has been a challenge but the organisers have ensured that everything is on track.
“For us, it's a bit tricky because we hosted the last one (ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup) in 2024 and this year, we host the first one. There is less than nine months between them,” Meritxell Rodriguez, Manager of the venue built for the Olympic Games Barcelona 1992, said.
“It's tough because everybody is used to planning it for late summer and now we need to push people a bit.
“This is also peak season for business activities, rafting, and schools. We're on track but many things to organise.”
Economic impact and future
A regular feature in the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup circuit, it is considered a favourite venue for many of the sport's top athletes.
The organisers are particularly proud of the economic impact the event brings to the region.
Having held the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships in 1999, 2009 and 2019, it will host the flagship event for a fourth time in 2027.
With the future in mind, the team are ensuring that the venue is upgraded and is of the highest standards, with a strong focus on sustainability.
“Last year, we did an economic impact study of the World Cup and we'll present the results to show why hosting this event is important for us. And now we can say it has an economic impact in the region of €3.3 million,” Rodriguez said.
“We are trying to start a programme for schools to attract them on Friday, linked to the ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships in 2027 with the involvement of the Catalan Government. We'll have schools across the Pyrenees from Puigcerda to Viella.
“In late September, we'll start working on the accessibility of the main building and improvements regarding energy efficiency in terms of the climatisation of the buildings.
“By the end of the year, we'll also start works on the pumping station. The goal is to have two new pumps and to refurbish the installation to have a new system adapted.”
African Reference Race
This first World Cup of the season will also feature an African Reference Race.
The competition is restricted to athletes competing for an African National Federation.
The idea behind the event is to generate interest and experience for African paddlers and International Technical Officials, especially around kayak cross, with the hope of establishing a regular continental championship in the calendar.
What is on the World Cup programme and who will feature?
After the African Reference Race on June 5, the World Cup will begin on June 6 with men's and women's kayak heats and finals.
The men's and women's canoe heats and finals are scheduled for June 7, followed by kayak cross on June 8.
Many nations have confirmed their teams for the first World Cup with Australian siblings and super stars Jessica Fox and Noemie Fox among them.
The Paris 2024 gold medallists will be joined by men’s kayak cross Olympic champion Finn Butcher, from neighbouring New Zealand.
Poland’s Klaudia Zwolinska and Evy Leibfarth of the United States are also among the many big names set to compete in Spain.
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