Mark de Jonge leads Canada into World Cup canoe sprint season
Live coverage of 3 events on offer after partnership forged between Canoe Kayak Canada, CBC Sports
Kayaker Mark de Jonge will be among those competing for Canada at the first World Cup canoe sprint event of the season in Duisberg, Germany, at the end of May.
De Jonge, 32, is the reigning world champion in the K1 200-metre event and has already qualified for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
He'll lead a smaller team than usual for a World Cup event, according to Canoe Kayak Canada, as there is a Pan American championships and continental Olympic qualifier also taking place that weekend (May 20-22) in Gainesville, Ga.
Michelle Russell, 23, will compete in the women's K1 500, for which Canada has already secured an Olympic berth.
Canadians competing in these events are expecting to compete in Rio.
New partnership expands reach
The first World Cup, as well as the second and third events of the season, will be available exclusively on CBC Sports — online, on the app and on Road to the Olympic Games.
"This partnership is pivotal in bringing the stories of our team to life to inspire an even wider audience," said Casey Wade, CEO of Canoe Kayak Canada, adding that paddling holds a special place in the hearts of Canadians.
The sport's governing body, the International Canoe Federation, hopes offering these events so broadly will help grow the sport in this country.
"The Canadian market is a key territory for the ICF considering the Canadian stars that we have in the paddling world, so exposure of our major events in the Canadian market is very important to us," said Simon Toulson, ICF's secretary general.
Live streaming schedule
World Cup 1: Duisburg, Germany
Thursday May 19:
- 3:40 - 4:40 a.m. ET
- 6:00 - 7:00 a.m. ET
Saturday May 21:
- 5:30 - 7:00 a.m. ET
Sunday May 22:
- 3:30 - 5:00 a.m. ET
World Cup 2: Racice, Czech Republic
Saturday May 28:
- 4:00 - 6:30 a.m. ET LIVE
Sunday May 29:
- 2:30 - 4:00 a.m. ET LIVE
World Cup 3: Montemor, Portugal
Saturday June 4:
- 6:30 - 8:00 a.m. ET
Sunday June 5:
- 5:30 - 7:00 a.m. ET