Tiemo Krueger | Proofreader: Nick Harding - For the first time the canoeing community was part of the E.ON Hanse AlsterCup along the “Jungfernstieg” promenade. The German Canoe Federation sent their best athletes for the sprint races on the 200m track and for the canoe polo tournament, where Switzerland women and Denmark men were opponents.

On Friday and Saturday, the rowers took part in the ​finale of their premier league, canoe athletes started their competitions on Sunday:

In the six games of the canoe polo preliminaries, in front of enthusiastic audiences, the German team showed their strength. The spectators were not only close to the waterside, but also cheering on the team from the nearby restaurant terrace and from higher ground; "Neuer Jungfernstieg". The results of the preliminary round meant the finals were an entirely German affair.

The senior German ladies expectedly won over their own U21 team. Thrilling was the men’s final: it was balanced for most of the game, but point-rich with a high-standard of play. Shortly before the end the U21 team then scored the winning goal and won the AlsterCup 2014.

Equally exciting were ​​the fastest 16 German sprinters in their races.

Starting with C1-Women, Cathrin Dürr (Karlsruhe) won at the end in front of the Potsdam trio with Ophelia Preller in second, Annika Loske 3rd and Sophie Koch 4th.

Immediately afterwards, double world champion and Olympic champion Sebastian Brendel (Potsdam) started the race. But the sprinters held firm against the 1000m specialist, the finish was tight with Stefan Holtz (Leipzig) in front of Stefan Kiraj (Potsdam). In the small final, Brendel won against Jan Vandrey (Potsdam).

The field for K1-Women was nonetheless spectacular: The Olympic champions from London Tina Dietze (Leipzig) and Franziska Weber (Potsdam) ensured that the race was thrilling. Just before the finish line in a race which was already almost decided for Potsdam, Weber capsized! Meanwhile Tina Dietze celebrated her victory in the German Cup.

In men's kayak the surprise had already happened in the preliminary round; the favourite Tom Liebscher (Dresden) got off to a false start. Martin Schubert (Friedrichshafen) won going straight into the final. There he met Ronald Rauhe (Potsdam), the race was tough as the group were motivated in the Heats; Ronny made ​​it to the finish line first taking the victory for Potsdam.

At the medal ceremony, the enthusiastic audience all athletes came together for an impressive group picture. According to the organisers and the police, nearly 60,000 visitors attended the event over the whole weekend. As for next year, the paddlers will eagerly return to participate in this exciting competition format in the middle of the city.

Photographer: Andreas Koelblin