Sports — Football

Unique encounter for two athletes hailing from KSG

Long-distance Va'a racing competitions took place in Niterói, Brazil, from August 13th to 21st, featuring our website's active participation.

, and Administrator

2025 September 13 . 4:05 PM

2 min read

Unique encounter for two student-athletes at KSG

Unique encounter for two athletes hailing from KSG

In the heart of Brazil, the Va'a World Championship saw a grand spectacle as 820 paddlers from 36 nations gathered at Praia de São Francisco. The event, which concluded recently, was marked by a vibrant opening ceremony, meticulously planned and accompanied by live orchestra music, a samba group performance, and a stunning fireworks display.

Germany led the parade of nations, with their paddlers eager to showcase their skills on the open seas. However, the winning nations - Australia, New Zealand, and Tahiti - had a distinct advantage, having more experience in surfing waves than the German team.

The German national team consisted of 8 individual paddlers and 5 six-person teams. Lara Ehlis and Lydia Elstermeier from the Canoe Sports Club (VfK) were part of the women's team in the six-person boat in the performance class.

The women's team race, in which Ehlis, Elstermeier, Jana Giersch, Vanessa Holznagel, Jamie Lee Schaare, and Marcia Verruck Tortola competed, took place on the fourth day of the event. The race was challenging, with headwinds, especially on the return of the 24-kilometer course, adding an extra layer of difficulty.

The conditions on the paddling courses varied greatly from day to day and from race to race. Despite the challenges, the German team trained diligently, honing their skills on the regatta course in Duisburg.

As the competition came to a close, the Brazilian national anthem was performed by the orchestra and sung loudly by the spectators. The ceremony was warmly welcomed by the nations present, symbolising the spirit of unity and sportsmanship that pervaded the event.

The paddlers now look forward to the next opportunity to prove their skills, with the Sprint World Championships in Singapore next year on the horizon. The Va'a World Championship in Brazil was a memorable event, showcasing the passion and determination of paddlers from around the world.