Australia’s Para canoe athletes began the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic qualification cycle with podium success at the ICF Canoe Sprint & Para Canoe World Cup in Brandenburg, Germany.
Returning to international competition for the first time since Paris 2024, four-time Paralympic champion Curtis McGrath produced a trademark finish in the KL2 men’s 200m final, claiming gold in 44.98 seconds.
With his opponents off to a flying start, McGrath drew on his composure and racing savvy to surge through the field and edge clear in the closing metres.
“It’s been an emotional day as I lost a friend, so this one means a bit more,” McGrath said.
“There is a bit of work to do but it’s nice to be here and paddling on a new course. It’s great to see everyone again.”
Ben Sainsbury, a former World Champion, also claimed gold in the VL1 men’s 200m, despite racing in a newly configured boat set-up introduced just two days before competition.
“Setting up a new boat, two days before racing was a bit scary, but I had confidence in my skills that we could pull it together. I wasn’t expecting gold hopping in a new boat, so it’s good to get the result.
“I dug in and dug deep over the last 20 metres and that is what got me the win.”
In the women’s events, Amy Ralph reached her first VL3 women’s 200m A final, finishing ninth. It was a significant step in her progression, racing against the world’s best and measuring the results of months of dedicated training.
Emily Paix and Susanna Wills also posted encouraging performances – Paix sixth in the VL3 women’s 200m B final (15th overall), and Wills sixth in the KL1 women’s 200m straight final.
The Brandenburg World Cup provided valuable international racing exposure for the Australian squad, with athletes trialling technical changes, refining race plans and sharpening execution across the regatta.
The Australian Para canoe team will now shift their focus to the final World Cup of the season in Montreal in July, before the World Championships in August.
By Paddle Australia and Ashley Gillespie, Paralympics Australia
Image Credit: Paddle Aus
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