Australia’s Cory Hill is seeking to win the men’s surfski title for a record-extending fourth time at the International Canoe Federation Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships on the island of Madeira, Portugal.
Hill triumphed in 2015 and 2017 before ending a six-year wait to win it for a record-breaking third time on home waters in Perth last year.
The Australian paddler is among the field again but is expected to face fierce competition from a strong South African team.
Nicolas Notten and Kenneth Rice, who took the title in 2021 and 2022 respectively, will be determined to put South Africa back on top of the podium.
Other South African challengers include previous medallists Hank McGregor, Ulvard Hart and Joshua Fenn.
Portugal is also fielding a large team in a bid for home success in both the men’s and women’s SS1 events.
With two-time women’s SS1 champion Jemma Smith of Australia not in Madeira, the door has opened for a potential new winner of the event.
South Africa’s Michelle Burn tasted success in 2021 and will hope to triumph again, while compatriot Melanie van Niekerk will aim to go one better this year after securing silver in 2023.
History was made in Perth last year when the surfski double featured as a medal event for the first time at the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships.
Spain’s Judit Verges Xifra and Walter Bouzan clinched the historic mixed SS2 crown and will be eager to retain it.
It is the eighth edition of the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships with the first taking place in 2013.
Portugal is playing host for the third time after staging it in Vila do Conde in 2013 and Viana do Castelo in 2022.
A total of 441 paddlers from 35 countries from all five continents will compete across the junior, under 23, senior and masters events.
It is a record number of nations for a ICF Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships as Estonia, Mexico, Serbia and Slovenia make their debuts.
Races will take place in the south of the Island in a 20-kilometre course from the port city of Machico to Madeira’s capital Funchal.
Colin Simpkins, Chair of the ICF Canoe Ocean Racing Committee, said: “It is fantastic to bring the World Championships to such a stunning location.
“The Portuguese Canoe Federation is known for its organisation of top-class events and it has done a wonderful job in managing all the logistical challenges that have come with staging an event on an island.
“It will be a record-breaking World Championships with more nations represented than ever before and I am sure it will be a magnificent event.
“We are also running a development camp where athletes are receiving great coaching advice and will compete against the best in the sport.”
For the results and competition schedule, click here.
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