The 2026 International Canoe Federation Wildwater Canoeing World Cup series gets underway this week in Dunarmete, Hungary, as the venue hosts a global paddle sport event for the first time.
Taking place from June 5 to 6, the competition will be held on Hungary’s first dedicated slalom and wildwater racing course.
Set within a striking natural environment, the venue promises an exciting challenge for athletes making their debut on the course.
A total of 113 paddlers from 20 nations will compete for medals across kayak and canoe disciplines in both individual and team events.
Click here for start lists and live results from Dunarmete
The field features athletes from across the generations. Slovenia’s Nejc Znidarcic is the oldest competitor at 42 years of age.
The experienced paddler arrives in Hungary fresh from gold medal success at last month’s ICF Wildwater Canoeing World Championships in Banja Luka, where he teamed up with Anze Urankar and Simon Oven to win the men’s K1 team title.
At the other end of the age spectrum, five athletes born in 2011 are set to compete.
Slovakia’s Marko Okal will be the youngest paddler on the start list at just 14 years old.
All competitors will face a new challenge on the Vadvíz course in Dunarmete, which was completed only last year.
The technical venue will provide a fresh test as athletes seek to master the course for the first time.
Last season’s World Cup circuit, held across Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Skopje, North Macedonia, was dominated by France’s Nicolas Sauteur. The Frenchman claimed an impressive seven gold medals, including two victories in the men’s C1, and will be aiming to continue that form in Hungary.
In the women’s competition, Slovenia’s Ana Steblaj returns looking to build on her back-to-back K1 World Cup titles from 2025.
Her compatriot Anze Urankar will be hoping to successfully defend his men’s K1 crown.
Meanwhile, Italy’s Cecilia Panato arrives in Dunarmete in exceptional form.
The Italian star collected five gold medals at last month’s ICF Wildwater Canoeing World Championships and will be targeting further success after also securing the women’s C1 World Cup title last season.
With a new venue, a strong international field and several world champions in action, Dunarmete is set to provide an exciting opening chapter to the ICF Wildwater Canoeing World Cup 2026 series.
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