The second International Canoe Federation Canoe Freestyle World Cup in Plattling, Germany has finished two days earlier than planned due to rising water levels.
The event was originally scheduled to start today and conclude on June 1 but flood warnings issued yesterday led to a change in plans.
Following a meeting between local officials, the head of the Host Organising Committee, an athlete representative and the ICF Canoe Freestyle Committee, a decision was taken to put in place a new competition schedule to ensure at least one round was completed in all classes in a day.
Due to extreme weather conditions leading to rising water levels, the event site had be evacuated at the end of today’s competition at 8pm CET and the final two days were cancelled.
As all classes had completed a whole round, the results for the World Cup are based on the scores registered today.
France’s Tom Dolle came out on top in the men’s kayak surface with a score of 2361.67 points as Polish pair Tomasz Czaplicki and Bartosz Czauderna came second and third respectively.
There was delight for Japan in the women’s kayak surface as Hitomi Takaku registered 1083.33 for victory.
Great Britain’s Ottilie Robinson-Shaw came up short to take silver, while Poland’s Zofia Tula took the bronze.
Philip Josef delivered home success in the open canoe surface with 288.33, edging out American Landon Miller, while the bronze went to Ireland’s Eoghan Kelly.
Miller bounced back with victory in the men’s canoe decked surface, triumphing with a score of 1766.66.
Dolle picked up silver with Great Britain’s Matthew Stephenson earning bronze.
Robinson-Shaw picked up another title in Plattling, capturing the women’s canoe decked surface crown with 420.00.
Germany’s Anica Schacher sealed silver, with Great Britain’s Rebekah Green securing bronze.
Robinson-Shaw also won women’s kayak squirt gold after finishing on 3188.33.
It was a British one-two as Tamsyn McConchie ranked second ahead of Germany’s Nele Barwich who claimed bronze.
The final event of the day saw Germany’s Mike Lochny win the men’s kayak squirt title with 3393.33.
Lochny was followed by two British paddlers in Alex Edwards and David Rogers who clinched silver and bronze respectively.
It brought to an end a fantastic competition in Plattling following the successful staging of the first ICF Canoe Freestyle World Cup earlier this week.
“It is frustrating that we have had to cut short what has been an excellent event here in Plattling but safety is paramount and we have made the correct decision to finish the competition today,” said Terry Best, Chair of the ICF Canoe Freestyle Committee.
“The water levels are continuing to rise meaning that event site had to be evaculate following today’s competition.
“I am pleased that we managed to get a round of all the classes completed today so we were able to award World Cup medals.
"The ICF Freestyle Committee would like to thank the organisers, the town council, the Chief Judges and the athletes representative and especially the competing paddlers for their co operation and support."
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