Paddlers are poised to navigate the waves of the Indian Ocean when they compete at the International Canoe Federation Canoe Ocean Racing World Cup in Reunion.
The French overseas territory is holding the event with Saturday’s Run Ocean Downwind race given World Cup status.
A total of 46 men and 11 women will compete in the surfski single as they aim to be crowned World Cup champion.
Among the competitors is 2021 world champion Nicolas Notten of South Africa.
Notten is one of three South Africans in the line-up with compatriots Jordan Fenn and Hein Van Rooyen also seeking to seal a place on the podium.
Another world champion in the field is Spain’s Chloe Bunnett who teamed up with Victor Rodriguez to capture the mixed surfski double crown in Madeira, Portugal last month.
Mathis Soudi, an Olympian in Canoe Slalom, is representing Morocco at the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Cup, while Frederic Lagourgue is the sole competitor from Mauritius.
The rest of the paddlers form a strong French contingent as they bid for home success.
Sunday will see the staging of a 3km short race where paddlers will compete for the overall Run Ocean crowns.
It is the organisers’ aim to position Reunion as the French Canoe Ocean Racing destination in the Indian Ocean.
The event has been running since Monday with competitors participating in a mixed kayak double race and beach race.
Reunion also stages an annual ICF Canoe Slalom ranking race.
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