The 2025 ECA Open Canoe Slalom European Cup kicked off in Pau
The pre-season preparations are slowly coming to an end and canoe slalom paddlers have already opened their 2025 season with several international races. Pau, France, hosted the first of the two races in the Pyrenees Cup series, which counts as the ICF Canoe Slalom World Ranking Race as well as ECA Open Canoe Slalom European Cup race.
The Wildwater Stadium in Pau, a well-known venue, location of European and World Championships as well as World Cup races, was the first stop of the 2025 ECA Open Canoe Slalom European Cup series. The Pyreenes Cup attracted many top level French and international paddlers, including Olympic medallists, and World and European Championships medallists, who are currently training in France. The A finals saw exciting racing.
Polish kayaker Klaudia Zwolinska produced the best time in women’s kayak final. With a penalty free run she finished 1.61 seconds ahead of Lena Teunissen (NED), who had a touch and consequently two penalty seconds. Czech Katerina Bekova, also with a touch, finished third.
In men’s canoe event, the upset came in the heats, when Paris 2024 Olympic Champion Nicolas Gestin (FRA) did not advance to the next stage of the competition. French, however, still dominated the final, with Jules Bernardet taking the win (95.39) and Martin Cornu finishing second (+0.26). Miquel Trave (ESP) rounded the winner’s podium.
Tereza Kneblova (CZE) produced the best final run in women’s canoe. French Angele Hug was a bit faster on the course, but two penalty seconds pushed her to second place (+0.86), while Martina Satkova (CZE) won third place with four penalty seconds (+3.83).
British kayaker Sam Leaver was the best in men’s kayak final, stopping the clock at 90.05. Jakub Krejci (CZE) was second and Anatole Delassus (FRA) third.
Following the canoe slalom part of the competition, athletes tried their form in kayak cross. Here, Spanish kayaker Maialen Chourraut took the win in women’s final, crossing the finish line ahead of Angele Hug (FRA), Jana Planes (ESP) and Klaudia Zwolinska (POL). French kayaker Gael Adisson was the best in men’s kayak cross final. Manuel Ochoa (ESP) was second and Leo Vuitton (FRA) third. Jan Rohrer (SUI) finished his final run in fourth position.
The second race in the Pyrenees Cup is scheduled for next weekend in La Seu d’Urgell, Spain. This race will also be a part of the 2025 ECA Open Canoe Slalom European Cup series.
