An annual race held in tribute to Romania’s seven-time Olympic medallist Ivan Patzaichin attracted approximately 200 paddlers.
Olympians, world champions and members of Romania’s national canoe team took part in the Ivan Patzaichin International Canoe Marathon.
Participants paddled 45 kilometres from Tulcea through the Danube Delta, following the "Ivan’s Delta" route from the Ivan Patzaichin Memorial on the Tulcea Promenade to the Ivan Patzaichin Museum in Mila 23.
Mila 23, Patzaichin’s birthplace, is a remote village accessible only by water.
Patzaichin, who received the Olympic Order in 1990, passed away at the age of 71 in September 2021. His legacy continues through the event, which is organised by the Ivan Patzaichin Association - Mila 23.
Competitors raced in kayak single and double, canoe single and double, stand-up paddleboarding (SUP), and the Canotca 10+1 – a boat concept developed by Patzaichin that combines the traditional design of the Lotca with elements of a canoe.
The award ceremonies were attended by three-time Olympic medallist Toma Simionov, Ivona Patzaichin-Rusu, President of the Ivan Patzaichin – Mila 23 Association, and Gabriel Bălan of the National Association of Professional Divers and Lifeguards of Romania.
Sacrieriu Ruben successfully retained the men’s K1 title, while Rusu Mihaela claimed victory in the women’s K1 event.
Italy’s Paolo Marconi and Claudia Luchetta won gold in the men’s and women’s SUP competitions, respectively.
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