The 2024 International Canoe Federation Hangzhou Super Cup that starts on Friday is getting athletes excited for more than one reason.
The $350,000 prize pool in total is surely among them, but for many, the Super Cup is a chance to see their colleagues from other disciplines in action.
Set to run until Sunday, the 2024 Super Cup will see Canoe Marathon, Canoe Polo, Canoe Sprint and Canoe Slalom competitions take place at the Fuyang Water Sports Centre.
A total of 500 athletes, including Olympic and world champions, have gathered in the 2022 Asian Games host city as the stage is set for a celebration of paddle sports.
After what has been a long season, especially for slalom and sprint stars, the opportunity to finish with a bang and see some sporting action is proving to be popular.
“I know that Team GB has a Canoe Polo team out here. So, I will go and take a peek at that. It is all happening in such a short time frame as well and I think it is going to be interesting,” women’s kayak cross overall World Cup winner and two-time Paris 2024 bronze medallist Kimberley Woods of Great Britain said.
Adam Varga, the Hungarian sprint paddler and a two-time Olympic silver medallist, also shared similar thoughts on the eve of the competition.
“This is exciting because, at the Olympic Games and World Cups, we can only see our disciplines. So, this is going to be a different experience.”
The Super Cup was officially inaugurated with an Opening Ceremony at the Landison Jinhao Hotel in Hangzhou, with Wu-shi and Jin-ju dance performances titled “Dongwu War Horse” and “Champion Bun” - both depicting the local cultural heritage.
It was followed by speeches from ICF President Thomas Konietzko, Chinese Canoe Association President Tong Lixin, Hangzhou Mayor Yao Gaoyuan and Hu Zuohua, Deputy Director of Zhejiang Station of China Media Group, among other dignitaries.
“It has been an Olympic year full of highlights for our sport, and today, we add another one with a world premiere,” said Mr Konietzko in his opening remarks.
“Never in our history have we had so many Olympic and world champions and medalists at any of our competitions, nor have we brought together so many of our disciplines in one event as we do here at the ICF Hangzhou Super Cup.
“Over the next few days, the sports world and canoeing enthusiasts from around the globe will be focused on these competitions in Hangzhou.
“Images from this event will be broadcast worldwide, showcasing the breadth of our sport and introducing an innovative new competition format.
“I would like to thank all our Chinese friends and partners who made this event possible. Special thanks go to the City of Hangzhou, the Chinese Canoe Association, our sponsors, and the volunteers for their incredible efforts and support.”
For the full schedule, click here.
Full coverage of this week's ICF Hangzhou Super Cup featuring Canoe Slalom, Canoe Sprint, Canoe Marathon and Canoe Polo can be viewed on the Planet Canoe YouTube channel.
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