Canoe Slalom World Cup Pau: Top French Paddlers To Watch On Home Water

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Canoe slalom World Cup arrives in Pau, France after a gap of three years. This is the second stop of the season. The competition will take place from 13-15 June. 

The 2025 Canoe Slalom World Cup is the highest level season-long series of competitions across six canoe slalom disciplines organized by the International Canoe Federation (ICF). It is the 38th edition and features five stops (or races) in five different venues.

Paddlers compete for the title of the overall Canoe slalom world cup champion in each of the six disciplines (4 for men and 4 for women), which will be determined by the total number of points obtained from the five races.

Kayak cross individual will be introduced as a new event for this season. It is a kayak cross time trial that is also used as a qualification run for the kayak cross event.

A new progression system will be introduced, which will be unified through all 4 classic slalom categories. Instead of 2 qualification heats, followed by a semifinal and a final, there will only be one single qualification heat with the top 12 athletes advancing straight to the final.

French paddlers ready for home advantage 

A trio of Olympic medallists lead the home charge at Canoe Slalom World Cup in Pau. Titouan Castryck headlines the field. The 20-year-old won the first world cup of the season in La Seu d’Urgell, Spain and finished runner-up at the European championships in Vaires-sur-Marne. He won the silver medal at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in men’s kayak. 

However, he is set to face a tough challenge from Paris 2024 bronze medallist Pau Echaniz, Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion Jiri Prskavec, and surprise world cup medallist Lucien Delfour.

Nicolas Gestin, the Paris 2024 Olympic champion (men’s canoe) is another Frenchman to look out for. He is fresh off podium finishes at the European championships and last week’s world cup in Spain.

His cabinet includes two world cup victories, two U23 world titles, one team world title and knighthood within the French Legion of Honour. 

In the women’s field, Angele Hug will look to carry forward her momentum. The Paris 2024 silver medallist and current world cup leader will have to negotiate with the likes of Jessica Fox, Finn Butcher and Kimberley Woods.

Also Read: Swiss Camille Rast Bags Flachau Women’s Slalom World Cup: Check Out Top 10 Results

ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup Pau 2025: Schedule

(All times local, GMT +2)

Friday, 13 June

  • 13:45 Women’s kayak – heats
  • 14:58 Men’s kayak – heats
  • 17:19 Women’s kayak – final
  • 18:02 Men’s kayak – final

Saturday, 14 June

  • 11:15 Women’s canoe – heats
  • 12:21 Men’s canoe – heats
  • 15:04 Women’s canoe – final
  • 15:47 Men’s canoe – final

Sunday, 15 June

  • 10:15 Women’s kayak cross individual
  • 11:17 Men’s kayak cross individual
  • 14:15 Women’s and men’s kayak cross – heats
  • 15:15 Women’s and men’s kayak cross – finals

ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup 2025 Calendar

Label Venue Date
World Cup Race 1  La Seu 6-8 June
World Cup Race 2  Pau 13-15 June
World Cup Race 3  Prague 27-29 June
World Cup Race 4  Tacen 29-31 August
World Cup Final  Augsburg 4-7 September