The new competition organized by the Real Club Náutico de Palma in collaboration with PADDLE GAMES will take place on October 12 at Parc de la Mar.

The Real Club Náutico de Palma (RCNP) is finalizing preparations for the 1st Ciutat de Palma Canoeing Trophy, which will be held on October 12. This new competition will bring together 32 athletes from 9 countries—16 men and 16 women—who together boast 30 Olympic medals and over 380 international podium finishes. The races will take place on the artificial lake in Parc de la Mar, at the foot of Mallorca’s Cathedral, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

As Marcus Cooper mentioned a few days ago, “this is the first time we are hosting a canoeing event of this caliber, and we are very excited”. The Ciutat de Palma “is set to be a landmark event in the history of this sport in Europe,” says Carlos Borrás, RCNP paddler and coordinator of the event, which has generated significant interest both within the sports community and the media.

Among the athletes competing in the Ciutat de Palma in Mallorca are 12 Olympic medallists, as well as numerous world and European champions. Notably, the event will feature the four members of the Spanish K4 team that won bronze at the Paris Olympic Games: Saúl Craviotto (6 Olympic medals), Carlos Arévalo (2), Rodrigo Germade (2), and Mallorca’s own Marcus Cooper (3). Other prominent athletes include Germany’s triple gold medallists Tom Liebscher and Jacob Schopf, and Portugal’s Fernando Pimenta.

On the women’s side, leading competitors include Poland’s Anna Pulawska and Germany’s Paulina Paszek and Jule Hake, each of whom won two medals at the Paris Olympics.

IB3, the Balearic public television network, confirmed yesterday that they will broadcast the semi-finals and finals live on Saturday afternoon. “This is fantastic news for the Ciutat de Palma and, above all, for canoeing—a sport that has become a cornerstone of Spain’s Olympic success, with five medals already won by athletes from the Balearic Islands, three by Marcus Cooper and two by Pollensa’s Sete Benavides and Joan Toni Moreno,” says Manu Fraga, director of the RCNP. He encourages the public to visit Parc de la Mar to witness “a unique spectacle.” The RCNP will install free-access stands along the wall and will offer various recreational activities for spectators.

Borrás explains that the regatta’s format, specially adapted to the characteristics of Parc de la Mar, is unprecedented. Athletes have not yet been informed of the distance they will compete over and only know that they will have to navigate buoys near the lake’s fountain. “The turning manoeuvres,” he emphasizes, “will create never-before-seen images.”

Next Friday, starting at 6:00 p.m., a reception and presentation of the participants will be held at the Real Club Náutico de Palma.

12 OLYMPIC MEDALISTS

Anna Pulawska (Poland): 2 medals in Tokyo

Jule Hake (Germany): 2 medals in Paris

Paulina Paszek (Germany): 2 medals in Paris

Teresa Portela (Portugal): 2 diplomas and participation in 5 games

Rodrigo Germade (Spain): 2 medals

Saul Craviotto (Spain): 6 medals

Marcus Cooper (Spain): 3 medals

Carlos Arévalo (Spain): 2 medals

Jacob Schopf (Germany): 3 medals

Manfredi Rizza (Italy): 1 medal

Carlos Perez Rial (Spain): 1 medal

Tom Liebsher (Germany): 3 medals

Fernando Pimenta (Portugal): 3 medals