Poznan | Press release International Canoe Federation - The 2013 ICF Canoe Sprint World Cup heads to Poznan, Poland in the last of a thrilling series of three events from the 31st May - 2nd June.

Without strong contenders from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Great Britain and the up-and-coming Serbia in attendance, the final Canoe Sprint World Cup of the season provides an opportunity for some new faces to step up on to the Podium.

With home support on his side, local hero and the current World Champion Piotr Siemionowski (POL), will be hot favourite when the K1 Men 200m event gets underway.

Rene Holten Poulsen is the other main contender*, however, his best opportunities are likely to come over the longer distances. At the last World Cup in Racice, two weeks ago, Poulsen won the K1 Men 1000m, came second in the K1 Men 500m and third in the K1 Men 5000m.

The Russian Oleg Kharitonov, who came fifth in the K1 Men 200m in Racice, will be hoping Poznan can provide him a chance to medal.

Wallace back on form

After a disappointing 2012 campaign, the Australian Ken Wallace looks to be back in form and will be a strong contender in the K1 Men 500m, 1000m and 5000m events. Also expect Anders Gustafsson (SWE), to go well in the K1 Men 500m; his last outing in Poznan resulted in a World Championship gold over the 500m dash.

Adam Van Koeverden (CAN) will compete over the K1 Men 1000m distance. The multiple World and Olympic medalist will certainly be a contender for a podium spot. As will Max Hoff (GER), who will be looking to make up for a disappointing display in Racice.

In the endurance testing K1 Men 5000m, expect Aleh Yurenia (BLR) to put in another fine performance. On his last outing he managed to out sprint Wallace and Poulsen to take gold, with an impressive show of strength down the final straight.

Carrington the one to beat

The unstoppable New Zealander, Lisa Carrington, will once again be the one to beat in the K1 Women 200m and 500m. The 23-year-old has now been competing in Europe for a month and looks to be getting stronger as each event passes.

In the shorter of the two distances her main competition is likely to come from local athlete, Marta Walczkiewicz (POL). After finishing fifth at the London 2012 Olympic Games and second at the 2011 World Championship, she certainly has the pedigree to cause an upset.

The return of the Olympic bronze medalist, Bridgette Hartley (RSA), after a bout of chickenpox, will be interesting. She is set to compete over the K1 Women 200m and 500m distances. 


Since returning to the water, Hartley has been training hard with the Hungarian coach, Nandor Almasi. Expect some explosive paddling from the 29-year-old as she looks to make her mark on her return to action.

Another contender is Henriette Hansen (DEN), she won the K1 Women 500m on her last outing in Poznan. Expect her to also contest the podium spots this weekend.

Without the winners from Racice in attendance there's opportunity for new K2 Women 1000m champions this weekend.In the K2 Women 500m the Olympic Champions, Tina Dietze and Franziska Weber, will again be favourites for gold.

Can anyone stop Vincent-Lapointe?

In the C1 Women 200m it is impossible to look past the sports dominant force, Laurence Vincent-Lapointe (CAN). Last week in Racice Vincent-Lapointe took gold convincingly, and then teamed up to win the C2 Women 500m with Sara-Jane Caumartin (CAN).

The C1 Men 200m and 500m, look to be too close to call. In the C1 Men 1000m Canada's Mark Oldershaw and Benjamin Russel will again try and outwit the dominant German, Sebastian Brendel.

In the C2 Men 500m and 1000m, Azerbaijan and German pairings look to be the ones to beat. Over the C2 Men 200m France look to have the strongest duo. In the C4 Men 1000m Russia have again entered a strong team; however, don't rule out the Polish quartet.

Crowds certain for K2 Women 500m

Polish heroes and bronze medalists at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Beata Mikolajczyk and Karolina Naja, will undoubtedly attract huge support when they set off in the K2 Women 500m.

In the K2 Men 200m, Australia's duo of Ken Wallace and Lachlan Tame are strong contenders, but the Russian boat of Alexander Dyachenko and Yury Postrigay are certainly the ones to beat.

Also in the K2 Men 200m is Ronald Rauhe (GER), the most decorated kayaker on the planet with 21 titles including 13 golds to his name. He goes in a boat with Joshua Kroeck (GER).

In the spectacular K4 Men 1000m and K4 Women 500m expect the German and Polish boats to be top contenders.

World famous venue

Poznan is situated west of the centre of Poland and is recognised as one of the premier canoe sprint destinations in the world. The Malta Regatta Course is an artificial reservoir that was created in 1952 with the construction of a dam on the Cybina River.

It has played host to numerous world-class events, including three ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships in 1990, 2001 and 2010.