CANOE/KAYAK: The third and final ICF canoe sprint World Cup begins in Copenhagen, Denmark this weekend.
A slightly smaller field will compete in the Danish capital, however racing is still expected to be fierce with the athletes getting their last chance to see where they are at prior to the World Championships in August.
Despite the women returning home, Australia will field a nine man team who will be hungry to add the team’s medal tally of six.
Sunshine Coast paddler Bill Bain will be the first athlete to race in Copenhagen when he contests the K1 1000 heats at 7:29pm AEST.
The 21 year old finished eighth and 14th at the first two World Cups and will be looking to end the series with another strong performance.
Arguably Australia’s most in form boat, Kenny Wallace and Lachlan Tame will head into the K2 1000 event full of confidence after winning gold and silver respectively in Portugal and Germany.
With just 18 starters they are an excellent chance to make it three consecutive World Cup medals.
The pair will also double up and contest the K2 200 on Saturday.
Joining them will be Jesse Phillips and Stephen Bird, who return to their regular pairing after experimenting with new boat combinations at the second World Cup last weekend.
The quartet will also combine in the K4 200 heats on Saturday.
A second boat containing David Smith, Riley Fitzsimmons, Jordan Wood and Jacob Clear will also contest the non-Olympic event.
Smith, Fitzsimmons, Wood and Clear will form another new K4 1000 crew. Wood replaces the in-form Murray Stewart, who has chosen not to compete at the final World Cup.
This regatta will provide the coaching staff and selector’s one last chance to see Fitzsimmons and Wood in action, as they finalise their starters for the World Championships in Milan later this year.
Clear will also line-up in the men’s K1 500 heats on Saturday alongside Wallace.
Wallace powered home in the closing stages to win gold last start, and will looking for a repeat performance.
The Currumbin Creek kayaker will conclude his busy World Cup schedule by racing the K1 5000 on Sunday alongside Bain.
Once again, he will be out to make it consecutive gold medals.
Bain and Wood will also contest the K1 200 event.
AUSTRALIAN CANOEING
