Germany’s men’s and women’s kayak four teams swept into the final, while two Paralympic greats made long-awaited returns on a day of wildly changeable conditions in Brandenburg.
From torrential downpours to bursts of sunshine, paddlers battled the elements on the opening day of the International Canoe Federation Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Cup.
After a disappointing outing at the World Cup opener in Szeged last week, Germany’s men’s K4 came back with a point to prove on home waters.
Max Rendschmidt, Max Lemke, Jacob Schopf and Tom Liebscher-Lucz, back together this year, clocked the quickest time in the men’s K4 500m with 1:24.39.
“It’s really nice to compete here in Germany,” said Rendschmidt.
“The weather is not that good today. In the end, we had good races.
“We are calling this the ‘old new boat’. I also paddle the K2 with Tom so we will see. We have a really good feeling at the moment.
“In previous years, we were not so fast in the first months of the year but hopefully by the World Championships (in August) we will be faster and we will see what comes.”
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In the other semi-finals, Hungary, who triumphed in Szeged, got the better of Portugal by 0.12, and Australia sealed first spot to advance to the final.
Two German boats lined up in the third semi-final of the women ‘s K4 500m.
Paulina Paszek, Nele Reinwardt, Pauline Jagsch and Finja Hermanussen came out on top in a time of 1:37.83.
New Zealand ranked second to join them in the final along with Denmark as Germany’s other women’s team missed out.
China, who clinched gold in Szeged, registered the fastest time in the women’s K4 500m semi-finals, finishing in 1:36.18.
There was a return to the men’s canoe single 1000m for Brazil’s Isaquias Guimaraes Queiroz as he progressed to the final, ranking behind Italy’s Gabriele Casadei in his semi-final.
Czechia’s Olympic gold medallists experienced mixed fortunes.
Martin Fuksa, the men’s C1 1000m champion at Paris 2024, made it through to the final with ease, but Czech kayak star Josef Dostal failed to progress.
Dostal ranked eighth in his men’s kayak single 1000m semi-final as Jonas Ecker of the United States took first place.
Portugal’s Fernando Pimenta continued his fine form by cruising into men’s K1 1000m final where he will resume his battle with Hungary’s Balint Kopasz who also advanced.
In the women ‘s K1 500m, Australia’s Natalia Drobot was the only paddler to go under two minutes in the semi-finals as she eyes back-to-back World Cup victories.
Paracanoe action also started on Thursday with Australia’s Curtis McGrath and Great Britain’s Emma Wiggs returning to the international stage.
McGrath, the four-time Paralympic gold medallist, came from behind to edge Fernando Rufino de Paulo of Brazil by 0.09 to secure a place in the men's KL2 final.
“It’s a bit cold coming from Australian summer to this weather which feels like deep winter but it’s nice to be back in the fold and see where everyone is at,” said McGrath.
Wiggs, the triple Paralympic gold medallist, also blew away some cobwebs as she powered to the women’s VL2 final.
“I felt a bit sick on the startline, and then I just looked across and saw all these people that I have spent so much time with so it’s amazing to be back,” said Wiggs.
Full coverage of the ICF Canoe Sprint World Cups can be viewed on the Planet Canoe YouTube channel.
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Related links
- Paralympic stars return as Olympic champions eye Brandenburg success
- Five things to look out for at ICF Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Cup in Brandenburg
- TV rights, schedule and where to watch ICF Canoe Sprint and Paracanoe World Cup in Brandenburg
