The picturesque town of La Seu d’Urgell, Spain, will host the opening round of the 2025 ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup Series — bringing together Olympic medallists, World Champions, and rising stars for an exhilarating start to the new season.

This year’s opener isn’t just the first step of the World Cup Series — it’s also the starting line on the road to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. With the successful debut of Kayak Cross at Paris 2024, the International Canoe Federation is doubling down on innovation and excitement, introducing fresh formats and sharper coverage to engage fans around the world.

One Heat. One Shot.

Athletes in canoe and kayak slalom will face a thrilling new challenge: just one heat run to qualify directly to the finals. No second chances — only the top 12 progress. The pressure is on, and it’s set to deliver edge-of-your-seat action.

New Kayak Cross Format

Kayak Cross will now feature individual medals, adding even more to the stakes. Gone are the time trials; instead, athletes race head-to-head in a direct elimination format from the start. That means more racing, more drama, and more podiums.

Watch Live and Stay Connected

You can catch all the action live or on demand:

• Sky Sport NZ – for Kiwi viewers following our squad

• ICF YouTube Channel – global livestreams, interviews, and highlights

• Live results – available at canoeicf.com

Whether you're cheering for the Olympic champ Finn Butcher, welcoming Kahlia Cullwick on her senior debut, or backing George Snook’s return to international waters — now’s the time to get behind our squad.

Let the World Cup journey begin.

Article added: Friday 06 June 2025