Excitement has been building in Rio de Janeiro as the 2026 International Canoe Federation Canoe Slalom Ranking Race gets underway, with athletes from across the globe eager to make their mark.
The event is being hosted at the Deodoro Radical Park, the iconic venue used for the Olympic Games Rio 2016 and widely regarded as one of the world’s premier Canoe Slalom facilities. The challenging course provides a fitting stage for Brazil’s first international event of the season.
One of this weekend’s major talking points will be the latest chapter in the rivalry between French stars Titouan Castryck and Anatole Delassus. The world’s top two paddlers in men’s kayak are both fierce competitors and close friends, adding extra intrigue to a matchup that has consistently delivered high-level racing. With both athletes lining up in Rio, fans can expect another intense battle at the very top of the field.
France’s strength in depth will be further underlined by the presence of Mathurin Madore, another established international contender, as the French representatives look to make an early statement in 2026.
Brazilian athletes will also feature prominently in Rio for their first competitive outing of the year. Notable names including Ana Satila and Pedro Goncalves, both past world medallists, are among the competitors on home waters.
Athletes from Chile, Canada, and Czechia will also be in action, pushing for key qualification results.
Leonardo Bueno, Canoe Slalom supervisor for the Brazilian Canoe Confederation, said: "It is the first official event of the season in which our athletes participate, offering competitive pace and preparation opportunities.
“In addition, it reinforces the Olympic legacy in Rio de Janeiro and the appreciation of national canoeing.”
The programme begins today with the individual kayak cross. On Saturday, attention turns to Canoe Slalom, with kayak and canoe events for both men and women featuring qualifying round followed by finals. The weekend concludes on Sunday with the kayak cross heats, rounding off three days of high intensity racing on the Olympic course.
