There is a bronze medal for Portugal at the Sea Canoeing World Cups in Viana and Esposende
The Portuguese Bernardo Pereira was today ranked 2nd in the under-world category of sea canoeing23, in his first place in a test held between Castelo and Espose
The Madeiran finished the course in 1:20.19 hours, 1.46 minutes behind the winner, South African Ulvard Hart, who beat his countryman Joshua Fenn by 15.99 seconds.
In 2021, Bernardo Pereira was champion of Europe and the world, but in the junior category.
Portugal, which, with this podium, reached a record of 30 medals in a single season, counting only European and world championships in the various aspects of canoeing, also had another prominent canoeist at this level, António Ribeiro, who was 10th, 7.43 minutes from the first.
The team led by Rui Câncio, also the coach of the Portuguese marathons, also had juniors in the top-10, namely Francisco Dias, fifth at 3.33, Miguel Órfão, eighth at 4.58, and Francisco Barcelos, ninth at 5.40.
In seniors, the best Portuguese was David Fernandes, former Olympic athlete in speed (inline regattas), who was 21st, 6.10 minutes from South African Kenneth Rice, in 1:17.10.
In the women’s sector, highlight goes to the under-23 Sara Sotero, ranked fourth in this category, 5.54 minutes from the American Ana Swetish, who won in 1:30.37.
In juniors, Beatriz João and Luísa Pereira were eighth and ninth, respectively at 8.53 and 9.15 minutes from South African Saskia Hockly, who prevailed at 1:32.00.
In seniors, the best Portuguese was former international sprinter Joana Sousa, who was 13th in 1:37.07, 11.01 minutes behind Australian Jemma Smith’s gold.
The International Canoeing Federation (ICF) confirmed this world cup as the biggest canoeing event ever, with 532 participants from 30 countries.