There have been many memorable moments in a sensational International Canoe Federation season. In the first of our moments of 2024, we look back at when Melina Andersson stunned the Canoe Marathon world – with a spare paddle.
Having enjoyed such dominance for so many years, it felt almost inevitable that Vanda Kiszli would be crowned world champion.
In 2019 and 2021, the Hungarian paddler was so good in the women’s kayak single that she triumphed over both the long and short distances.
But the strangehold she once had has now been broken as Melina Andersson usurped her as the new queen of K1 in Canoe Marathon.
The Swede produced two stunning performances to win two golds at the ICF Canoe Marathon World Championships in Metkovic, Croatia.
Such an achievement did not seem possible on the morning of competition when she discovered that her paddle had snapped.
“Just before the heats, my original paddle broke,” said Andersson.
“A teammate of mine dropped a table right on the blade so it broke.
“When it happened, I was really sad and was like ‘oh my God so I decided to call my mum saying ‘I don’t know what to do’.”
Fortunately, Andersson had a spare paddle to turn to but chances of pulling off a golden double appeared slim at this point.
This situation could have thrown Andersson off her stride but she responded in the best possible fashion.
Winner of the K1 short-distance title in 2022 and 2023, Andersson made it three in a row with a brilliant display in Metkovic, pulling away from Hungarian pair Emese Kohalmi and Kiszli.
Winning the short distance was one thing but triumphing over 26.20km was another with Kiszli aiming to win the long distance title for a sixth successive edition.
For much of the race, it looked like it was going to be a Hungarian one-two with Kiszli and Kohalmi baltting it out.
Andersson was involved in a duel for third for Rebecca Mann before the Australian capsized.
After Mann’s mistake, Andersson found an extra gear as she tracked down Kiszli and Kohalmi before overhauling them.
Andersson produced a brilliant finish to complete a remarkable comeback and cap a memorable weekend.
“I was a bit surprised when I was starting to catch them,” said Andersson.
“I was just staying calm and catching them bit by bit, and racing with speed when they started to change positions.
“I thought maybe I will catch them and then all of a sudden I caught up and went for it in the last sprint.”
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