International Canoe Federation

Mother nature cooperated again in Duisburg today to make the final 2010 Canoe Sprint World Cup a flawless event with perfect conditions and warm weather. The morning session combined the heats and semi-finals for the 500m events and set the stage for the 11 medals to be awarded on this final day of competition.

Pressure was on the Brits and Canadians to reduce the lead of the German Team in the medal tally but, try as they might, at the end of the day the German Team confirmed their position as the best nation of this World Cup.

The afternoon started with a punch as the flying K4s got the crowd going. Belarus, had the finish line in sight and this is just what the team found beating the German to take first. There was great anticipation with team Australia and they did not disappoint; they finished third with a strong performance.

Next up are what could only ever be great races with the Women's K1 and the Men's K1. A startlist packed with top athletes for both the ladies and the men’s classes, it either could be anyone's. Olympic gold medalists, Tim Brabants (GBR) and Inna Osypenko-Radomska (UKR) were both in the final nine.

However it wasn't another victory for Inna in the ladies 500m. Rachel Cawthorn (GBR) was on a roll this weekend and took her second gold to conclude an exceptional weekend that showed her strength in all disciplines. She won gold yesterday in the 1000m and bronze on Friday in the 200m. Rachel was followed by Henriette Engel-Hansen (DEN) for the second place. After winning silver, Henriette told the ICF; “I had a good race, a good start but unfortunately at the end Rachel passed me and I got second, but I am happy with the result.’’ Katrin Wagner-Augustin (GER) came in third.

Suspense was in the air as Kenny Wallace (AUS) fulfilled a powerful finish after a relatively quiet three days. All eyes were also on Adam van Koeverden (CAN) and Max Hoff. But neither made it to the podium. While Ken's strategy paid off, giving him the first march on the podium, second place went to Anders Gustafsson (SWE) while Angus Mortimer (CAN) crossed the line in third. It was a great accomplishment for Mortimer who has never done better than his teammate Adam. He told the ICF; “The race was very close. I was in good race form. Definitely my best World Cup ever! It was tight the whole way and I managed to get the 3rd place at the end. It is the first time I beat Adam in a major race for sure.’’

In the C1 line up, the man to beat was Sebastian Brendel from the host country. The support paid off, he took first and was followed by his teammate Tomasz Wylenzek. Taking third place was and Qiang Li (CHN).

After their win in the K2 1000m German ladies, Silke Hörmann and Conny Waßmuth brought home another gold medal today in the 500m. They were followed by Ivana Kmetova and Martina Kohlova (SVK) who brought their country's medal tally to 3 silvers. Austria’s Viktoria Schwarz and Yvonne Schuring finished third.

The German K2 boat did not let the home crowd down. Martin Hollstein and Andreas Ihle (GER) have had so far a very good season. They were followed by the two Belarussian teams of Raman Piatrushenka and Vadzim Makhneu (2nd) and Stanislau Strelchanka and Siarhei Finziukevich (3rd). After the medal ceremony, Andreas told the ICF; “It was a good race, we had a good start, we paddled in our own pace with a good finish, we came from 1000m so this is very good for us’’. In the Men's C2 500 m, favourites Sergiy Bezuglir and Maksim Prokopenko (AZE) took first, second place went to Romania and third to Poland.

Finishing both the day and the World Cup series, were the 4 x 200m relays. Germany had a clean sweep, much to the crowds pleasure. As we conclude this superb World Cup in Duisburg we say Germany, Germany and Germany!

For live results visit www.kanuduisburg.de/erg_2010/Zeitpl_Start.php