The 2015 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships get underway with the Paracanoe races opening proceedings as the world’s fastest paddlers get set to contest the sports top honours in Milan, Italy.  

The entry boasts over 1,000 athletes from 86 nations; with many World and Olympic Champions in the mix the Idroscalo venue will undoubtedly provide compelling viewing. 

The five-day competition commences on Wednesday (19th August) and runs through to Sunday (23rd August). It will also act as the first occasion for athletes to grab their nation a spot at the Games in Rio next year. 

With Paracanoe making its debut at next year's Paralympic Games this weeks competition has more riding on it than ever. 

Key contender on the first day of racing is Rio's poster boy, Fernando Fernandes (BRA), who goes in the KL1 200m.  

The Brazilian catwalk star has topped the podium on four occasions at the World Championships and is a Paralympic role model next years showcase. 

Great Briatin’s Jeannette Chippington is another athlete who is a regular on the podium at the highest level. 

The 45-year-old is aiming to reach her sixth Paralympic Games after being a successful swimmer winning 12 medals, Atlanta was her most successful Games where she won two Gold, one Silver and two Bronze medals and broke two World Records.

Curtis McGrath (AUS) burst on to the scene in Moscow at the 2014 ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships setting a record-time that ensure gold in the men's V1. 

The 27-year-old took up canoeing competitively after having both his legs amputated as a result of a mine blast whilst serving in the Australian Army in Afghanistan.

McGrath is set to race in the VL2 and KL2 after adding the KL2 to his repertoire as he aims for Paralympic Games success.  

The action gets underway at 8:00 CET.