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The 2024 ECA Wildwater Sprint Canoeing European Cup series kicked off with the first race which was organised in France. The course in St. Laurent Blangy welcomed athletes from several European countries

Majority of the participating athletes came from the host nation – France, however there were athletes from Great Britain, Germany, North Macedonia, Serbia and Netherlands also on the start line. Athletes were divided into different categories according to age groups, from the youngest paddlers to those more experienced ones. Majority of the wins went to the hands of French and British paddlers.

 

In men’s K1 M22 event French kayaker Augustin Reboul took the win ahead of his compatriots Etienne Wiche, who was 0.17 second behind, and Bruno Hely, who was 0.22 seconds behind Reboul. In the U21 age group Axel Duracq, Dimitri Tostain and Matthieu Dessiere were the fastest three athletes, in U18 event Louis Pages, Noah Ropers (both FRA) and Kristjan Lazarov from North Macedonia ended the competition day in the top three positions, while in U15 Loig Le Guennec, Jules Bachoffer and Quentin De Narp won the medals.

 

In women’s K1 race British paddler Laura Milne took the win ahead of Camille Tenaillon. In U21 age group Great Britain celebrated a double win thanks to Molly Sandercock and Kerry Christie, while bronze medal went to Nina Lloret Linares. The third British win in women’s kayak event came in U18 age group where Iona Patrick crossed the finish line with the fastest run of the day. Luna Lloret Linares (FRA) was second and German Lilli Bruns third. In U15 event Ocean Le Cun, Clara Norguet and Justine Lemaire were the fastest three paddlers.

 

Mathis Perrau was the winner of men’s canoe race in M22 event, where Quentin Dazeur occupied second place and Florian Crette finished third. Nicky Cresser (GBR), Quentin Moreaux and Denis Lussier were the best in M1 event, in U18 group Noa Nikiema-Scwarz won ahead of Julien Tassotti and Tom Flouvat. Jules Bachoffer, Benoit Capitaine and Nolhan le Rouzes were the best in U15 event.

 

The best paddler of the day in women’s C1 event was Molly Sandercock (GBR) who won the race ahead of Camille Rousson (FRA) and Kerry Christie (GBR), while in U18 age group Carole Huiban-Descoffre, Prune Rousseau and Yaelle Bidault won the top three places.

 

Thomas Gaud – Nouredine Zerouga were the best in men’s C2 event, Thibaut Collignon and Paul Bornet were second, while Jacob Holmes and Robert Jefferies (GBR) finished third. In the U18 event Ethan Renud – Ilann Courage, Loig Le Guennec – Nolann Fidon and Thomas Ciekala – Simon Aubouin were the best three crews.

 

Kerry and Emma Christie (GBR) were the winners of women’s C2 event. The produced more than four seconds faster time than Iona Patrik and Laura Milne, also from Great Britain, in second place, while French duo Clotilde Mette – Clara Nouget finished third.

 

Julie Fievez and Antonine Massonnet were the best in mixed C2 event, followed by Juliette Blondeau – Quentin Moreaux and Prune Rousseas – Mathieu Dubois.