The 2016 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup will be contested in La Seu d’Urgell with 47 nations in the starting line-up on the course that played host to the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games.

Several of this season’s Olympic contenders have spent time training in Spain this season.

The two Pyrenees-based world cups of Pau and in La Seu form the final selections for a two federations ahead of the Games, Brazil and Canada.

John Gregory @gregiej previews for Planet Canoe what to expect at the race.

K1M –  Smolen looking for gold

Michal Smolen (USA), the 2015 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships bronze medallist, is prepared for any challenge the former Olympic course may throw: 



''Seu is one of my favourite places and I’ve been coming out here since I was a junior. I’m pretty eager to make it to the finals this time as I was really close two years ago. 



“This course is quite tricky, but after a few experiences competing here I feel a bit more confident and I’m looking forward to having some fun this weekend.''

In the past three seasons the Spanish course has had three different winners – Hradilek (CZE), Hernanz (ESP) and Neveu (FRA).

However, last weekends victor Giovanni de Gennaro (ITA) has opted not to contest this weekend’s racing.

K1W – Funk after the 2016 World Cup title

With no distraction of the Rio Olympics, Ricarda Funk will be going all out for the 2016 World Cup series title. She has certainly been one of the fastest and most consistent K1W in recent times.

“It is nice to be back in Seu for racing. I haven't been into a final on this tricky course, so I am really excited how I will perform this time,” says Funk.

Olympic bronze medallist, Maialen Chourraut (ESP) has been on incredible form since 2013 with an ultra-smooth style. She will seek to repeat her win in front of a home crowd this weekend.

Jess Fox (AUS), having stepped on the podium multiple times in the C1W, will be looking for her first podium placing in K1W on her 22nd birthday weekend.

Last year’s winner, Corinna Kuhnle (AUT) has withdrawn from this weekend’s race following her Rio selection confirmed in Ivrea.

C1M – Chasing first home win

Rio selected athlete, 28-year-old Ander Elosegi (ESP) will be chasing his first World Cup home win following silver in 2013.

Rio selected top five ranked paddlers Savsek (SLO), Florence (GBR), Benus (SVK) and Gargaud Chanut (FRA) will go head-to-head in Seu.

Last year’s Seu World Cup race winner, Denis Gargaud Chanut (FRA) said:

“I’m just really happy to start the World Cup in Seu as I like this place. I consider this course is part of what I like to call the slalom grand slam circuit with Augsburg, Bratislava, Tacen, Pau, Sydney and Prague. I'll be racing for my Olympic preparation and see how is my shape and adjust in order to be ready for Rio.”

C1W – The margin is narrowing

Jess Fox (AUS) has snatched the win in the final at Seu for the last three seasons as well as the opening 2016 World Cup series race win. 

Fox’s competitors do appear to be closing in, with Britain’s Mallory Franklin and Kimberley Woods joining her on the podium in Ivrea, Italy. The British C1W team placed all four boats in the Ivrea final.

European Champion, Nuria Vilarrubla (ESP) was disappointed with her 2016 series start. She has consistently been the fastest in the heat or semi on her home Seu course and is motivated and capable of taking the win. 


“Yes, to win the final run at home is still in my task list. So, this week at La Seu's World Cup I will fight with all my heart to achieve it. Is always great to race at home with the local crowd. I will try to convert all their energy into power inside water.”

C2M – Medals going global

The opening World Cup marked a significant milestone with The People Republic of China crew of Hang Zhang and Xiao Deng winning a well-deserved bronze medal. 

They were joined in the final by Charles Correa and Anderson Oliveira (BRA), making it the first time a boat from outside Europe has been in a World Cup or World Championship final for as long as anyone can remember.

Rio Olympians Klauss and Peche (FRA) won the Seu World Cup in 2013 and 2015 with Ladislav and Peter Skantar (SVK) winning in 2014.

Race Schedule:

▪    Friday June 10 - Heats C1M, C1W, K1M, K1W & C2M
▪    Saturday June 11 – Semi-final & final C1M, C1W, K1M plus Slalom Cross event
▪    Sunday June 12 – Semi-final & final K1W & C2M

Remember to use hashtag #ICFslalom across all social media and follow results posted @PlanetCanoe
Key International Race Calendar

•    World Cup 3 – Pau, France, June 17-19
•    Junior/ U23 World Championships – Krakow, Poland, July 13-17
•    Olympic Games – Rio, Brazil, August 7-11
•    World Cup 4 – Prague, Czech Republic, September 2-4
•    World Cup Final – Tacen, Slovenia, September 9-11

ICF Seu World Cup race recent champions

2016 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup 1 results