The Amsterdam Waterland kayak and canoe Marathon celebrated its 49th edition this year, with the event attracting top paddlers from around the world. The senior men’s race was particularly exciting, with the breakaway happening after only 1 km right after the start, and the top racers maintaining a fast pace throughout the 24 km course.
In the endsprint, South African Hamish Lovemore emerged as the winner. As he announced before the race, if he would win it had to become a endsprint. They completed the race in an impressive time of 1 hour, 37 minutes, and 45.90 seconds, staying above theset track record. Lovemore led a close pack that included British James Russel, French Jeremy Candy, and Quentin Urban. Ultimately, Russel and Candy finished second and third, respectively, with Urban taking fourth place.
The senior women’s race saw Hungarian Panna Krisztina Sinko take first place with a time of 1 hour, 53 minutes, and 34 seconds. Basque paddler Irati Osa Irureta took second place with a time of 1 hour, 53 minutes, and 47 seconds, while Hungarian Zsófia Czéliai-Vörös finished third with a time of 1 hour, 55 minutes, and 1 seconds even after a unfortunate second portage where she fell in the water after trying to board the boat too swift.
In the masters men’s race, Torben Thomsen of the Aarhus Å Kajakklub came in first, completing the course in a time of 1 hour, 49 minutes, and 25 seconds. Dries Corrijn of KCCG took second place, with a time of 1 hour, 49 minutes, and 27 seconds, while Klaus Gieres finished third with a time of 1 hour, 49 minutes, and 35 seconds.
The junior men’s race saw Ben Higgins from the Salmon Leap canoe club take first place with a time of 1 hour 48 minutes and 2 seconds. In the junior women’s race, Italian paddler Beatrice Candela five minutes ahead of Hjördis Sommer and Nina Callebaut.
Overall, the Amsterdam Waterland kayak and canoe Marathon was a thrilling event, with top paddlers from around the world showcasing their skills and pushing themselves to their limits. Being challenged by the sudden change of weather, with a sunny morning but cold and rainy afternoon we can only have respect for all paddlers that made the finish line. Congratulations to all the winners and participants.
Results are online here. Aftermovie will be online as soon as possible.
Please save the date for the next extra special anniversary 50th edition on the 20th of april 2024.
Last but not least a big thank you to our sponsors and event suppliers. All of this has been made possible by the generous contribution of our sponsors: De Coogh Funderingstechnieken, Kanocentrum Arjan Bloem and Nelo Kayaks.
Another big thanks for our event suppliers Orange Rental, and Gomes.