Juniors shine as South Africa rule the waves

Any South African disappointment at Kira Bester narrowly losing her world title was offset by the complete dominance of the juniors, as Team SA topped the overall medal table at the Canoe Ocean Racing World Championships in La Vila Joiosa, Spain, over the weekend.

Bester just missed out on a hat-trick of world championship victories when the 2024 and 2025 champion finished second to Australian Jemma Smith in the women's race on Friday afternoon.

But any disappointment for the South African squad was quickly replaced by delight as the junior boys claimed the top four places in their category, with Sam Mocke (13th overall) earning his third consecutive junior world title. He was followed onto the podium by Keegan Vogt and Ryley Smith, with Jarryd Cole just missing out on a medal in fourth.

The women's race was a clash between two women who have dominated the event over the past four years. Smith, the back-to-back world champion in 2022 and 2023, took a shallower line closer to shore in the 20km race and emerged as a comfortable winner ahead of Bester. The two-time South African world champion led home the pack that mostly took a deeper line between La Vila Joiosa and El Campello.

The UK's Rosie Edwards was third and first U23, with five more South Africans finishing in the top ten. Jade Wilson was fourth, Michelle Burn fifth, Melanie Van Niekerk eighth, Saskia Hockly ninth and second U23, and Georgia Singe tenth and third U23.

SA TOP MEDALS TABLE

The men's race followed a similar pattern, with 2024 champion German Gordan Harbrecht and runner-up Pierre Vilella of France both opting to stay closer to shore and reaping the benefits.

Defending champion Cory Hill of Australia, who led the paddlers who went deeper to look for help from waves further out to sea, finished third, ahead of South African Hank McGregor. Once again, the South Africans packed the top positions, with eight Saffas in the top 15.

In the mixed doubles races on Saturday, Smith claimed her second title of the weekend, partnering Cory Hill to edge out two South African crews. Jade Wilson and Hank McGregor finished second, with Uli Hart and Singe rounding out the podium, while Bester and Kenny Rice just missed out on a medal.

There was more gold for South Africa in the younger age groups of the mixed doubles, with Holly Smith teaming up with Mocke for his second win of the weekend, this time in the U23 mixed category, ahead of Nicola Harcus and David Coetzer. Hanna Solomon and Vogt won the junior mixed event, with Isabella Strydom and Ryley Smith finishing third.

Other victories for South Africans went to Josh and Matt Fenn in the overall doubles race; Hank McGregor, who won the 45–49 age-group event while finishing fourth overall in the singles race; and Michelle Burn, who won the 40–44 age group while finishing fifth overall.

Daniel Malan and Simon Willmott won the 130–139 age group in the doubles race.

South Africa topped the official medal table with six gold medals, ahead of hosts Spain, and also won the points-based Nations Cup ahead of Australia.

RESULTS

SINGLES (SS1)

MEN

1 Gordan Harbrecht (GER) 1:13:51

2 Pierre Vilella (FRA) 1:14:33

3 Cory Hill (AUS) 1:14:53

4 Hank Mcgregor (RSA) 1:15:08

5 Walter Bouzan (ESP) 1:15:42

6 Bernardo Pereira (POR) 1:15:53 (1st U23)

7 Nicholas Notten (RSA) 1:16:01

8 Uli Hart (RSA) 1:16:15

9 Kenny Rice (RSA) 1:16:16