Posted 1 hour ago by CMI Committee Uncategorized

Irish Team ready for Worlds.

The Irish Marathon team has arrived in Gualeguaychú, Argentina for the Canoe Marathon World Chapionships. The team of 6 athletes arrived in town Friday evening after a 30 hour journey.

After getting over the journey it has been a busy few days, getting boats set up and getting everyone some time on the water. The river levels on the Gualeguaychú river are much higher than expected due to flooding on the Uruguay river of which the Gualeguaychú is a tributary. This has caused the river to be substantially higher than expected with much of the river banks now covered.

The result is a modified venue layout with all the team tents and boat racks moved up onto the promenade of this charming city. The portage is greatly reduced in length, only being about 25m long when we arrived but with the river levels dropping about 10 to 15cm a day, that is improving each day and is currently about 40m long. Hopefully levels continue to drop but regardless it hasn’t stopped the Irish athletes getting their practice in.

Racing for the Elite categories kicks on Thursday with Caoilin Caffrey, Sean Butterly, Sean Smyth and Daibhí Reynolds racing in the short course races.

Friday the long course K1 starts with Caoilin Caffrey, Lucy Cullen, Daibhí Reynolds and Paul Donnellan in action in the Junior Women, U23 Women and U23 Men races.

Saturday closes out the K1 long course racing with defending World Champion Sean Butterly along with Sean Smyth race the Junior Men race. Daibhí Reynolds and Paul Donnellan close out the day racing in the Senior Men race.

Finaly on Sunday the K2s kick off with Caoilin and Lucy 1st upping the Senior Women K2 before the Sean’s race in the Junior boys K2 race.

Start lists and results can be found here https://memosoft.spotfokus.com/timetable/eventdetail/168/2026-CANOE-MARATHON-WORLD-CHAMPIONSHIPS

There is a 4hr time difference Weds through Sat with a 3hr difference on Sunday due to daylight savings change

Races should be streamed live on planet canoe youtube but isnon fortunately behind a pay wall of €10 for a month

Some views of Gualeguaychú below

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18FaaSK9Y7/