The inaugural edition of the International Canoe Federation Hangzhou Super Cup has been roundly praised after bringing together four paddling disciplines on the same stage for the first time.
The staging of the event was hailed during the ICF Board of Directors meeting in Antalya, Turkiye on Wednesday.
Hangzhou, China staged the first-ever multi-discipline Super Cup from October 11 to 13 featuring Canoe Slalom, Canoe Sprint, Canoe Polo and Canoe Marathon.
A total of 500 athletes across all four disciplines came together in Hangzhou to battle it out for a slice of the $350,000 prize pool on offer.
The Chairs of the ICF Standing Committees for the participating disciplines heaped praise on the organisation of the Super Cup.
“It was an excellent competition,” said Jean-Michel Prono, Chair of the ICF Canoe Slalom Committee.
“The outcome was great and the athletes were all extremely pleased to participate.
“They were really engaged in the competition, participating in the Olympic formats of classic slalom and kayak cross and the short slalom format which was tested.
“It was great and the atmosphere was excellent.
“At this time of the year in an Olympic season it was very successful and well participated.”
Toshi Furuya, Chair of the ICF Canoe Sprint Committee, said he was delighted to see such a big competition held at the Fuyang Water Sports Centre, 12 months after it staged canoeing at the Asian Games.
“I would like to express my huge thanks to the organisers, staging the event in the same venue that was used for the Asian Games,” said Mr Furuya.
“It was a great event and we were very happy to be part of it.”
Ruud Heijselaar, Chair of the ICF Canoe Marathon Committee, said: “It was very successful and a great promotion of our sport.
“It was good to see all the disciplines at the same venue at the same and the officials did a great job.”
The Super Cup was staged less than a week before the ICF Canoe Polo World Championships was held in the nearby Deqing County.
Canoe Polo used the Super Cup as an opportunity to put on a new format featuring blind draws and knockout matches.
“Logistically it worked fantastically,” said Greg Smale, Chair of the ICF Canoe Polo Committee.
“All the teams enjoyed the Super Cup.
“They were nervous about the blind draw but enjoyed the tension.
“It was also really good working with the other disciplines.
“It was a great experience.”
The ICF Hangzhou Super Cup was among the topics discussed by the ICF Board of Directors.
Mr Prono received a standing ovation in recognition of his 20-year tenure as Chair of the ICF Canoe Slalom Committee after attending his final Board meeting in the role.
“Jean-Michel dedicated almost his whole life to this sport and our federation,” said ICF President Thomas Konietzko.
“He achieved so much and contributed to the success of our federation.”
The gathering of Board members was held ahead of the ICF Congress which will take place on Thursday and Friday.
Elections will be held and the new Fit for Future Evolution strategy will be unveiled at the two-day Congress before leading figures from the world of paddle sports will celebrate the ICF’s 100th anniversary on Saturday.
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