Connor Taras | Sportscene - World Cup #1 of the ICF world cup series wrapped up in Szeged, Hungary over the past weekend. The Hungarians managed to finish the weekend with the top medal count with an amazing 6 gold, 8 silvers, and 4 bronze medals. Now it’s on to the 2nd World Cup in Racice, Czech Republic where 36 nations and over 400 athletes will battle for the top medal spots.

Another race that will continue this upcoming weekend in Racice at the 2nd World Cup will be that of the ICF Canoe Sprint Ranking list, which is the overall best athlete in each discipline over the three world cups.

In the men’s kayak discipline, Max Hoff of Germany who won the K-1 1000m this past weekend in Szeged, and Ceasar De Ceasar of Ecuador, who won the K-1 200m against last years Olympic champion Ed McKeever (GBR), are currently tied for the top spot with 10 points. 

In the women’s kayak, Tina Dietz of Germany had a strong 4th place finish in both the 500m and 200m distances giving her the top spot. Closely behind Dietz is Lisa Carrington of New Zealand who maintained her status as the 200m champion after claiming victory at the Olympic last summer in that event as well, and Dalma Ruzicic-Benedek of Serbia who clinched the title in the K-1 500m, with 8 points each.

Another German claims top spot so far in the men’s canoe overall top ranking. Sebastian Brendel of Germany laid down a strong race in Szeged, winning by .918 seconds in the 1000m. He is tied with Ivan Shtyl of Russia who claimed the victory in the 200m C-1 final.

In the women’s C-1 200m, Staniliya Stamenova of Bulgaria took the top spot. She won with time of 49.941, which was a convincing .882 seconds in front of Kincso Takacs of Hungary. Takacs also joined forces with Zsanett Lakatos to take the C-2 500m title. These women will be challenged in Racice when reigning world champion from Canada, Laurence Vincent-Lapointe, joins the action.  

There is no doubt these spots will be contested this weekend in Racice with athletes like Adam VanKoeverdan (CAN) and Anders Gustafsson (SWE) joining the mix.  Mark DeJonge (CAN) bronze medal winner in the 200m at last years London Olympics will also join the battlefield in the 200m races.

Czech Canoe Unions 100th anniversary

There will be free beer being offered in the stands at the Sportcentrum Račice on Saturday and Sunday to celebrate the Czech Canoe Unions 100th anniversary. That along with the experience of holding the 2007 ICF World Junior Championships, the 2009 and 2011 ICF World Cup, and the excitement that will take place on the water as the world’s top athletes will compete, this weekend will surely prove to be a great event on and off the water!

On a side note, exciting news was just announced for the Czech Canoe Union and the Sportcentrum Racice. Czech Republic will play host to the 2017 ICF World Championships.

Links

Event website Racice: www.racice2013.com

All sprint news: www.sportscene.tv/flatwater/canoe-sprint/news

Live stream: http://eurovision.digotel.com/icf/index.html

Download results Szeged