Harbrecht secures Germany's first men's surfski gold at Canoe Ocean Racing world championships in Madeira

Gordan Harbrecht from Germany achieved a historic first, securing the men's surfski gold medal at the International Canoe Federation Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships held in Madeira, Portugal. This marks the first time a European paddler has claimed this prestigious title. Since its inception in 2013, the men's SS1 category at these world championships had exclusively seen winners from South Africa and Australia. Harbrecht's exceptional performance on the waters of Madeira effectively ended this long-standing duopoly. The German athlete, who previously earned a silver medal in 2021, powered to victory with a time of 1:27:31.69.

Harbrecht expressed immense satisfaction with his victory, stating he was "stoked" and happy with the outcome, having successfully executed his race plan. He described the race as "super tough," noting the initial favorable downwind conditions transitioned into a challenging headwind in the latter half. Despite the difficulty, he adhered to his strategy and was extremely pleased with the result. He reflected on his consistent performance in recent years, including a 2021 podium finish, though he acknowledged some top competitors were absent then due to COVID-19. He concluded by expressing his profound happiness at securing the title, feeling he "couldn’t have asked for more."

Defending champion Cory Hill of Australia, aiming for a record fourth victory, secured the silver medal, clocking 1:28:24.62. Hill described the conditions as "really tricky," explaining the shift from a strong tailwind to a direct headwind. He openly acknowledged Harbrecht's superior strength, remarking that Gordan "showed how strong he was" and was "unbeatable today," finding his speed "scary." South African legend Hank McGregor, a 46-year-old veteran of Canoe Marathon, secured a bronze medal in 01:28:34.35, further adding to his illustrious Canoe Ocean Racing career.

In the women's surfski event, South Africa achieved a dominant one-two...

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